The Nation Newspaper

Tag: AYC

  • Aminu wins AYC goal scoring gong

    Aminu wins AYC goal scoring gong

    Nigeria striker Umar Aminu has been crowned the Goal King of the 2013 African Youth Championship, which was concluded on Saturday in Oran, Algeria.

    The 18-year-old Wikki Tourists striker scored four goals in as many matches to finish as top scorer in the biennial championship.

    He fired a brace against DR Congo and then another double in a third-place match against Mali on Friday.

    Aminu’s closest rivals for the Goal King award were Egypt’s Hamid Mahmoud and Ebenezer Assifuah, who both finished on three goals apiece after they failed to add to their tally in Saturday’s final.

    MTNFootball.com reports that Flying Eagles skipper Abduljaleel Ajagun scored twice from the penalty spot.

    He takes over from compatriot Uche Nwafor, who also fired four goals as Nigeria won a sixth AYC title two years ago in South Africa.

     

  • AYC fallout: Tunde Disu scores Flying Eagles low

    AYC fallout: Tunde Disu scores Flying Eagles low

     

    Former Nigeria’s U-20 team coach, Tunde Disu, has said the present crop of Flying Eagles will not make positive impact at the upcoming global championship in Turkey.

    The fallen African champions climbed down from their exalted number one position to grab bronze courtesy of a 2-1 defeat of the Junior Eagles of Mali in the losers’ game of the 2013 Africa Youth Championship (AYC) in Algeria, Supersport.com reports.

    Striker Aminu Umar’s double helped his side avenge the opening group game 0-1 defeat to the Malians. Keita Tiekoro scored his side’s consolation goal on Friday at the Ahmed Zabana Stadium in Oran.

    Without mincing words, the former Flying Eagles’ coach said the side need total overhauling to avoid a repeat poor performance as witnessed at the African tourney in Algeria.

    “This team won’t do well at the World Cup if we’re to assess them with the standard exhibited at the Africa Youth Championship. It’s a far cry of a standard expected from the title holders.

    “The World Cup is another kettle of fish compared with the African tourney. The World Cup is more professional where you meet teams that are tactically and technically sound, “ the 1985 U-20 World Cup bronze medal winning coach told Supersport.com.

     

  • Ghana, Egypt meet in AYC final

    Ghana, Egypt meet in AYC final

    The Junior Satellites of Ghana will be up against Young Pharaohs of Egypt in the finals of the 2013 African Youth Championship, after Ghana laboured to beat Mali 4-2 on penalties in Algeria on Tuesday.

    Futaa.com reports that Eric Ofori Antwi was Ghana’s hero on the day when he stood as the difference between both sides in the penalty shootout.

    Saturday’s final will either avail the Coach Sellas Tetteh tutored Ghanaian side to the opportunity to avenge the opening day loss suffered in the hands of Egypt or see the North Africans further confirm their superiority over Ghana.

    In Tuesday’s semi final battle, Mali largely dominated the game with Ghana being on the back foot most parts of the game.

    After both sides failed to score in regulation time, the young U-20 lads carried their visibly tired legs into extra time to play 30 more minutes to determine a winner.

    The Egyptians had earlier defeated the Flying Eagles of Nigeria 2-0 in the first semi final also played on Tuesday.

    Ghana lifted the AYC trophy in 2009 while Egypt last won the competition in 2003.

     

  • AYC: Keshi, Eaglets charge F/Eagles

    AYC: Keshi, Eaglets charge F/Eagles

    Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi and the country’s U-17 team have backed the Flying Eagles to shine at the 2013 African Youth Championship in Algeria, MTNGFootball.com reports.

    Keshi told skipper Abduljaleel Ajagun Saturday he believes in the team, while the Golden Eaglets players said they are behind the Nigeria U-20s as the team files out against Mali in Oran on Sunday.

    Ajagun said: “Coach Keshi asked us to go and do Nigeria proud. He said we should play for our country with pride and confidence.

    “He also said he believes is us and he will be watching us on Sunday.”

    ‘Big Boss’ also spoke to coach Yakubu Maidaji, who was his teammate in the Flying Eagles in the late 70s, as well as goalkeeper trainer Aloy Agu, who played with the former Eagles skipper for the country in the 90s.

    Keshi has fully supported the country’s quest to successfully defend the AYC trophy the team won two years ago in South Africa.

    He has been closely monitoring the team since they moved into a training camp in Tunisia prior to the championship.

    From the Eaglets’ training camp at the Aspire Centre in Doha, coach Manu Garba expressed confidence the Flying Eagles will again stop Malian opposition.

    The Golden Eaglets as well as the Super Eagles have battered their Malian counterparts in recent fixtures and Manu believes the Flying Eagles can take a cue from these wins.

    He said, “We have absolute confidence in the ability of the Flying Eagles to defend their title,” said Garba, 2007 Under-17 World Cup winner.

    “This is going to be an interesting match because of recent results between the two countries.

    “The Super Eagles beat the Eagles of Mali 4-1 in the semi final of the African Cup of Nations and don’t forget that the Golden Eaglets stopped Mali from qualifying for the CAN Under-17 Championship in Morocco when we beat them on a 4-0 aggregate.”

     

  • F/Eagles ‘fired up’ for AYC glory

    F/Eagles ‘fired up’ for AYC glory

    The Flying Eagles’ players led by Abduljaleel Ajagun have promised to successfully defend the African Youth Championship the team won two years ago in South Africa.

    The Nigerian U-20 is drawn in Group B of the 2013 AYC in Algeria and begins the title defence on March 17 against Mali in Oran.

    MTNFootball.com reports that debutants Gabon and DR Congo are the other teams in the group.

    “We are ready for the battle,” assured skipper Ajagun.

    “We know what is at stake and we promise to do the country proud in Algeria.”

    The Nigeria Football Federation has doubled the team’s win bonus to $2,000 in the first round in an effort to further galvanise the team.

    “This means we will redouble our efforts in the game,” said defender Chizoba Amaefule.

    “This means we will die on the pitch to ensure we win,” added Aliyu Goyi.

    Striker Olanrewaju Kayode said they appreciate the NFF incentive but they are already fired up to defend the country’s colours in Algeria.

    “We appreciate the NFF for what they have done, but I can assure you that the main driving force for us is that we are committed to prove ourselves and so doing bring more honour to Nigeria after what the Super Eagles achieved in South Africa,” he said.

     

  • F/Eagles get favourable AYC draw

    F/Eagles get favourable AYC draw

    …  Eaglets to meet Ghana in U-17 

    The Flying Eagles of Nigeria on Sunday got a favourable draw for the 2013 African Youth Championship slated for Algeria, MTNFootball.com reports.

    Flying Eagles, the defending champions, will play in group B alongside Mali, debutants Gabon and DR Congo.

    Group A comprises the hosts Algeria, Ghana, Egypt and Benin Republic.

    The U-20 tournament will be played between March 16 and 30 2013 with the semi-finalists qualifying to represent Africa at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey in June.

    For the U-17 African championship, which will be hosted by Morocco in April, three-time world champions Golden Eaglets of Nigeria will meet arch rivals Black Starlets of Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire and Congo.

    The other group has hosts Morocco, debutants Botswana, Gabon and Tunisia.

    Like the AYC, the semi-finalists of this competition will also fly Africa’s flag at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in United Arab Emirates.