African Youth Championship: Flying Eagles beat Tanzania 2-0

Posted by admin Headlines, Soccer, Sports Sunday, August 12th, 2012

Flying Eagles on Sunday defeated the Ngorogoro Heroes of Tanzania 2-0 in the second leg of their qualifiers for the 2013 African Youths Championship.

Nigeria have thus advanced to the third round of the qualifiers on a 4-1 aggregate having won the first leg 2-1 in Dar es Salaam two weeks ago.

The match, which held at the 19,000-capacity Kwara Stadium, Ilorin, saw the Nigerians dominating the first half.

Abduljeleel Ajagun opened scoring in the first half when his 14th minute shot beat goalkeeper Aishi Manula.

It would have been two goals for Nigeria in the 21st minute but the goal headed in by Bright Ejike was disallowed by the Liberian referee.

The African champions, however, doubled their advantage in 65th minute through a penalty converted by Alhaji Gero after a Tanzanian handled the ball inside his box.

Nigeria will play the Amajita of South Africa in the third round. The South Africans defeated Congo 1-0 on Saturday and qualified for the next round on a 2-2 aggregate.

Flying Eagles coach, John Obuh, said he was impressed by the performance of his team and promised that the team would adequately handle their next opponents.

“This was our first competitive game at home. We won and I believe that has helped us to overcome any nerves. I believe our next home game will be better,” Obuh assured.

Tanzania coach, Jacob Mickelson, commended his players for their performance but accepted that they caved in to the superior football skills of the Flying Eagles.

There was heavy security presence at the stadium and adjourning streets during the encounter ostensibly to ensure a peaceful and hitch-free game.

The match also attracted large turn-out of sports fans so much so that the tickets for the match was said to have been sold out before the end of the first half. Anxious sports fans who were ready to pay for the tickets but were prevented from coming in during the second half were consequently allowed to watch the match at the second half without paying since the tickets had been exhausted.

via Punchwp_posts