Flying Eagles Aim For ‘Seventh Heaven’, In Chase For 7th AYC Title

By Chris Nomjov

Six-time African Under 20 youth champions, Nigeria and hosts, Senegal will battle it out in the final of the 20th African Youth Championship at the Senegalese football cathedral – the Stade Léopold Sédar Senghor in Dakar, by 8:30pm, local Nigerian time.

This much awaited clash will be the second time both teams have faced each other at this year’s tournament, with both countries emerging from the same Group A.

Senegal’s hopes of winning their first title seemed to have faded in thin air when Garba Manu’s boys humiliated them 3-1 in their opening match with Taiwo Awoniyi  leading the rout in Dakar.

But Joseph Koto’s team has recovered superbly to crush subsequent opponents for a place in Sunday’s final tipped to be a closely contested affair.

Setting the record of a ninth appearance in the final of this competition, Nigeria will be aiming for a record seventh title after failing to achieve the feat in the last edition.

On the road to this stage, Coach Garba Manu’s boys are unbeaten in tournament, and have scored 11 goals and conceded four while Senegal have scored nine and conceded nine.