.jpg)
3 weeks ago
13 ARTICLE AD
Football enthusiasts have commended Nigeria’s Flying Eagles for retaining the WAFU B U-20 trophy after defeating Ghana 2-1 in the final on Wednesday in Lome, Togo.
A cross-section of the Abuja fans who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria in separate interviews shortly after the match on Wednesday evening described the team’s performance as impressive.
Joseph Dauda, an entrepreneur described the Flying Eagles’ defeat of their regional rivals as an early Christmas gift for lovers of football.
He said that the situation in the country deserves such cheering news to calm the pressure of Nigerians exposed to economic hardship.
“Our boys played a great game tonight and the result of their efforts is emerging as champions.
“We are proud of the Flying Eagles for showing capacity throughout the competition,” he said.
Dauda who is an industrial welder and Managing Director of Joda Construction Works Limited, called on the Nigeria Football Federation to ensure that the boys were duly rewarded.
Another football enthusiast, Sunday Okon said that the team should serve as a good reserve for Nigeria’s senior national team, the Super Eagles.
Okon, an Uber driver said that he was personally elated for their performance and resilience in the match adding that they played as a united team with good chemistry.
He said that ‘the boys made Nigerians happy and at least sleep and forget their sorrows temporarily’.
The Chairman, National Sports Commission, Malam Shehu Dikko, also congratulated Nigeria’s U-20 team, the Flying Eagles for their defence of the WAFU B U-20 championship title.
Dikko hailed the team’s success, describing the victory as a “welcome gift” for Nigerian sports and an encouraging step forward in the team’s journey.
He said that the victory had set a positive tone as the Flying Eagles prepare for the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, with hopes of securing a place in the U-20 World Cup.
He added that it is imperative for the team to start preparations early enough for the U-20 AFCON, so as to be in a good state when the continental contest kicks off in January 2025.
Top teams from the U-20 AFCON will go on to represent Africa at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile in September 2025.
NAN reports that the Flying Eagles Slippery forward, Kparobo Arierhi’s goals help Nigeria retain the WAFU B U-20 trophy and maintain its regional bragging right.
Kparobo Arierhi scored the first goal in the 34th minute of the match when he received a pass on the edge of the box of the Black Satellites.
He again scored the second goal after receiving a couple of passes and he unleashed a right-footed rocket right into the roof of the net.
The pressure from the Black Satellites paid off for the Ghanaians in the 74th minute, as they reduced the tally following a goalmouth melee.
However, this did not stop the Flying Eagles from retaining their trophy won two years ago in Niger Republic.
NAN reports that Nigeria’s Kparobo Arierhi scooped the Man-of-the-Match award after the thrilling encounter.
Nigeria and Ghana will now represent WAFU B at the 2025 U-20 AFCON scheduled for January 2025.
NAN
