Nigeria secured her 7th Africa Youth Championship title in Dakar Senegal on Sunday, when they defeated hosts Senegal 1-0 in the Final of the...
Nigeria secured her 7th Africa Youth Championship title in Dakar Senegal on Sunday, when they defeated hosts Senegal 1-0 in the Final of the tournament.
Bernard Bulbwa scored what will probably be named Goal of the Tournament in the 20th minute, to hand Nigeria the trophy.
The two sides had faced-off in the opening ceremony, with Nigeria running out 3-1 winners.
That opening day game set the tone for the final, as both coaches seemed to have corrected the defensive lapses that led to the glut of goals in the first game.
But in the 20th minute, Bulbwa supplied the match winner with a moment of pure magic.
The midfielder was a little over 20 yards from goal, on the right side, when a lofted pass floated his way.
He stuck out his right leg, and with the edge of his boots, plucked the ball from the air with absolute control, then in almost the same movement, he did a slight pirouette, and blasted the ball - half volley - into the net. The Senegalese goalkeeper, Sy, was left standing with his hands on his heads.
The Senegalese came close to an equalizer just minutes later, as a Sarr header from a corner kick grazed the upright with Joshua Enaholo left standing.
Tried as they did, the Senegalese could not find a way past Enoholo the rest of the encounter.
Ghana, who were beaten 2-0 by Nigeria in the Semifinal, defeated Mali 3-1 in the 3rd Place game.
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