1st May, 2011
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles finally broke the age long Cameroon jinx this evening, as they defeated the Junior Lions 3-2 in the final of the South Africa 2011 U-20 African Youth Championship, AYC.
The rugged Cameroonian team tried to maintain their over 15 years dominance on Nigeria in continental football, but the Flying Eagles fought the fight of their lives in the grueling 120 minutes showdown.
The match was even in the first half, which ended scoreless but the match burst into life 15 minutes from full time.
Kayode Olanrewaju opened scoring for Nigeria in the 74th minute when he lashed home the ball from outside the box.
With barely five minutes when the Cameroonians were still struggling to recover from the goal, the Nigerian team hit them with the second goal in the 79th minute via a penalty kick by Uche Nwafor.
At about ten minutes to full time, the Coach John Obuh-led Flying Eagles thought victory was assured, only to be surprised by two quick goals by the Junior Lions.
Franck Ohandza scored in the 82nd minute while their equalizer was ballooned in by Edgar Salli, whose classical shot beat goalkeeper Dami Paul in the 85th minute.
The scoreline remained 2-2 till the end of regulation time, before substitute, Terry Envor netted Nigeria’s long awaited winner in the second minute of extra time.
Just as Cameroon have been defeating Nigeria for years, both teams clashed in the group stage of the tournament with the Junior Lions snatching away a deserved 1-0 victory.
But the Nigerian side, have now taken their pound of flesh in today’s final at the Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto.
“This is a huge achievement and we are glad that we avenged our loss to Cameroon in the group stage. No only that, Our team have broken the Cameroon jinx of many years†skipper Ramon Azeez said as the Nigerian team were being decorated with their cup and medals this evening.
Cameroon have dominated events with Nigeria at the senior level, but today’s clash was the first between the two teams at the final of the competition.
Nigeria have won the AYC five times and have lost out on two other finals, in 2007 and 1999.
Cameroon won the tournament in 1995, when it was hosted by Nigeria, and were beaten finalists in 2009 and 1993.
However, scorer of Nigeria’s first goal. Kayode Olanrewaju was given the marching orders by the Senegalese referee, Diatta Badara for obstructing play, while Stanley Okoro also got a last minute yellow card.
-Tunde Oyedele