Flying Eagles Eliminated From U-20 AFCON Qualifiers By Sudan

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have crashed out of next year’s U-20 Africa Cup of Nations 6-6 on aggregate after losing 4-3 to 10-man Sudan in Lagos on Saturday to lose out on away goals.


The Flying Eagles won the first leg 2-1 in Omdurman a fortnight ago.

They also miss out of the 2017 FIFA World Cup in South Korea.

Samuel Chukwueze had the Flying Eagles’ first chance in the fifth minute after Victor Osimhen broke away from the right but his effort was deflected away for a corner.

The Flying Eagles almost profited from the corner through Ejike Ikwu but his header was cleared off the line.

In the 15th minute, the Flying Eagles’ pressure paid off through Chukwueze who went on a solo run and drilled a low shot which ended up in the bottom right hand corner.

Kelechi Nwakali came close to increase the Flying Eagles’ lead on 18 minutes but his shot missed the target.

Sudan drew level in the 21st minute from a corner kick through Amjad Ahmed who hit a low strike which flew past Akpan Udoh in goal for the Flying Eagles.

The Flying Eagles almost replied through Osimhen but his header was well saved by the Sudanese keeper.

Funsho Bamigboye made it 2-1 for the Flying Eagles in the 26th minute, finishing off a brilliant breakaway from Chukwueze.

Osimhen had a great opportunity to extend the Flying Eagle’s lead in the 34th minute following another fine solo run by Chukwueze but he scooped his effort over the bar from close range before colliding with the post and had to go off for treatment

Osimhen had the ball in the net few minutes after coming back into the pitch off a brilliant pass from Chukwueze but it was flagged for offside.

With two minutes left in the first half, Sudan equalised through Halid Abdamuleem who hit a powerful shot past Udoh after the Flying Eagles failed to clear their lines.

Prior to the start of the second half, Flying Eagles made their first change with Orji Okonkwo replacing Gavi Thompson.

Osimhen had a chance from a corner which the Sudanese failed to deal with, but his shot narrowly went wide.

Sudan took the lead in the 56th minute through Walaadihh Musa who struck his shot beyond Udoh to make it 3-2.

Walaadihh was later sent off after receiving his second yellow card.

Okonkwo came close to drawing the Flying Eagles level but his left-footed shot failed to beat the Sudanese keeper.

Udoh saved the Eagles’ blushes following a misplaced pass in the defence, rushing out from his area to clear the danger.

Okonkwo equalised for the Flying Eagles on 67 minutes, heading in Osimhen’s cross.

The Flying Eagles won a free-kick on 82 minutes after Okonkwo was brought down but Nwakali’s shot was saved by the keeper.

Sudan took the lead again in the 83rd minute through Abdamuleem off a free-kick.

Bamigboye came close to make it 4-4 but his shot inside the 18 was saved.

Osimhen had the Flying Eagles last chance but shot straight at the keeper.