Flying Eagles final push for 7th AYC title

To get to the finals, the Flying Eagles topped Group A after victories over host Senegal and Congo and a 2-2 draw against Cote d’Ivoire. The semi-final clash against the Satellites of Ghana was clearly their most difficult match. Although they won, the Flying had to dig deep to qualify for tomorrow’s finals.Having beaten the […]

To get to the finals, the Flying Eagles topped Group A after victories over host Senegal and Congo and a 2-2 draw against Cote d’Ivoire. The semi-final clash against the Satellites of Ghana was clearly their most difficult match. Although they won, the Flying had to dig deep to qualify for tomorrow’s finals.
Having beaten the junior Teranga Lions of Senegal 2-1 in the opening match of the championship, the Flying Eagles no doubt have psychological edge over their opponents. This is not to suggest that it will be an easy ride for them. For their opponents to recover from the opening day defeat to qualify for the World Cup and beat high riding Mali to reach tomorrow’s finals, they deserve some measure of respect.
However, while the Flying Eagles have a chance to extend their dominance of the championship by winning their seventh title, Ghana and Mali will fight for third place.
Tomorrow’s finals is the fifth for the Flying Eagles since 1991. The Junior Eagles played the final match of the Africa Youth Championship in 1999 in Ghana against the Black Satellites and lost by 0-1. They were again in the finals in 2005 in Benin Republic where they defeated Egypt 1-0 to clinch their fifth title. Flying Eagles sixth title. They played the finals again in 2007 but lost 0-1 to the host country, Congo. The Flying Eagles played and won their last finals 2011 in South Africa where they defeated Junior Lions of Cameroon 3-2 in extra time.
Going by their performance so far in Senegal, indications are strong that the Flying Eagles will come home with their seventh AYC title. The brilliant showing of the team has been attributed to the team spirit and understanding being orchestrated by the U-17 boys who won the FIFA Championship in 2013 in the United Arab Emirates.
Thus, with world champions like Musa Muhammed, Taiwo Awoniyi, Zaharadeen Bello, Mustapha Abdullahi, Abdullahi Alfa, Akinjade Idowu, Sunday Alampasu and returnees like Bernard Bulbwa, Ibrahim Alhassan, Ifeanyi Matthew, and Ifeanyi Ifeanyi, the Flying Eagles are one united family pursuing a common goal in Senegal.
Even as they are highly favoured to win their seventh title, a former Flying Eagles striker, Terry Envoh has urged the boys to remain disciplined and focused on the final hurdle.
The dazzling winger who scored a breath taking goal in 2011 to give Nigeria her sixth AYC title in South Africa said the present squad has displayed the required team spirit and should maintain it in the final match.
He said “I am hundred percent sure that the Flying Eagles will come home with the trophy. They are playing the way a team that wants to win should play.
“All I can say is that if they remain disciplined, focused and hard working, nothing will stop them from winning their seventh title”.
Super Eagles and former Flying Eagles star, Ahmed Musa also said the Flying Eagles have shown great understanding and should not have any problem winning their seventh title.
The CSKA Moscow striker who represented Nigeria in the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia said “The Flying Eagles have done well so far but they should not rest on their oars.
“They must do the country proud by winning the final match. If they play their normal game and avoid unnecessary pressure on themselves, they will come out victorious.
“Although the team is playing well, the players need the support of Nigerians. We have to pray for the boys to go to New Zealand as champions of Africa”.
Dami Paul, Flying Eagles goalkeeper when the team won its sixth title, said he is confident the Manu Garba boys will triumph tomorrow.
He hinged his confidence on the character of the team saying the players are playing with so much determination and zeal to win.
“There is no doubt in my mind. I am confident the Flying Eagles will come out victorious. They have shown the determination to win.
“Having qualified for the finals, I know they are not going to settle for anything less than the trophy”.
Paul however warned the Flying Eagles not to put themselves under any form of pressure.
“I have been there before and I know what will be going through the minds of the players. They want to be African champions but they must be careful not to play under pressure. I see them coming home with the trophy,” he said.
Bernard Bulbwa did not play in the semi-final match against Ghana but is hoping to play the finals.
He said he missed the opportunity to be a world champion in 2013 so 2015 is a golden opportunity for him to be African champion and world champion.
“I am happy that we are in the finals. I missed out of the U17 victory in 2013 but I am back to win my first African title. We have qualified for the World Cup so I want to go to New Zealand as an African champion.
“It is not going to be an easy match but we are determined to do the country proud. Before this championship, I said we are going to beat all opponents to win the trophy. We are working hard to return home as champions of Africa,” he assured.