Flying Eagles qualifies for AYC

Gets $15,000 reward 

Flying Eagles coach, John Obuh

National U20 squad, Flying Eagles on Sunday picked the ticket for next year's Africa Youth Championship (AYC) in Algeria after beating its South African counterpart, Amajita 3-1 at the Ilorin Township Stadium in the second leg of the 2013 AYC qualifying cracker between the two teams.

Sunday's encounter was a tricky one for both sides after the first leg 1-1 ended in the South African City of Nelspruit a fortnight ago. The Coach John Obuh-led squad advanced on a 4-2 aggregate.

Defending champions, Flying Eagles had to work hard for the victory after the Amajita contingent made it known on arrival in Lagos on Thursday night that it would be opting for an all-out attacking game.

“They are a very good team and they kept us on our toes from start to finish,” Obuh said of the Amajita squad after the match. “Kudos to the entire team for putting in their best to ensure we will be in Algeria to now defend our crown.”

Obuh and his boys can now look ahead to the 2013 AYC in Algeria in March when they would be hoping to retain the title that Obuh led the team to at South Africa in 2011.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has praised the team for its qualification. NFF President Aminu Maigari, who joined Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed at the State Box for the big duel, said the Flying Eagles, six-time African champions, deserve credit for an inspired performance.

“I am truly impressed with the performance of the team, and I can tell you that the NFF as a body and the entire Nigeria football family are impressed. I will use this opportunity to pledge that the NFF will give the team all the support to prepare very well for the defence of its title in

Algeria next year,”assured Maigari.

NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu, said at the final whistle. “We give glory to God for the victory. The Flying Eagles were impressive against an equally brilliant South African team. We will work hard to give the team quality preparation ahead of the 18th African Youth Championship in Algeria next year March. And we now look forward to the Super Eagles qualifying for the 2013 African Nations Cup by beating Liberia in Calabar on Saturday.”

Also at the match were Kwara State Commissioner for Sports, Barrister Bamidele Towoju, NFF Executive Committee members Barrister Chris

Green, Barrister Olaleye Adepoju, Dr. Shehu Adamu and Alhaji Yusuf

Also, Capital Oil and Gas has redeemed a pledge of $15,000 (about N2.4million) made by its chief executive Ifeanyi Ubah to the Flying Eagles. A representative of the oil company, Nnanna Egwuonwu, made the cash presentation on behalf of his chairman at the Bovina View Hotel in Ilorin soon after the African champions outscored South Africa 4-2 on aggregate to qualify for the 2013 AYC in Algeria.

“Congratulations to the Flying Eagles for a marvellous result and performance,” said Egwuonwu, who is the chief inspector of Capital Oil.

“We are most honoured to have redeemed the Amabssador’s Bonus as pledged by our chief executive, Ifeanyi Ubah.”

Two-goal hero Abduljaleel Ajagun also received the MVP cash award of $2,000 from the capital Oil representative.

Ubah is the Nigeria Youth Football Ambassador and he hosted the same team when they reached the last eight of the 2011 U20 World Cup in Colombia.