2022 WAFU Zone B Tournament – Flying Eagles Defeat Benin Republic To Win Trophy
The Flying Eagles have emerged champions of the 2022 WAFU Zone B tournament in the Niger Republic after defeating the Benin Republic 3-1 in the final on Friday.
A brace from Tolulope Ojo and a goal from Ibrahim Muhammad sealed the win for Ladan Bosso’s team.
Benin Republic’s consolation goal was scored by Farid Edou late in the game.
The Flying Eagles took the lead in the 40th minute through Ojo who converted from the penalty spot after Mahougnon Aloya stopped a scoring opportunity with his arm. He was also sent off.
In the 70th minute, Ojo got his brace as he volleyed past the Benin Republic keeper time making it 2-0.
Muhammad then added the third goal in the 77th minute after capitalizing on an error by the opposition keeper Dava Agossa.
With six minutes left Edou pulled a goal back for the French-speaking country but the Flying Eagles held on to emerge winners.
Both Flying Eagles and the Benin Republic will represent the WAFU Zone B at next year’s U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
The continental tournament will serve as the qualifiers for Indonesia’s 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, will host members of the victorious Flying Eagles squad to the WAFU B U-20 Tournament and the all-conquering Scrabble Team to the West African championships in Abuja on Monday.
The Minister spoke to both teams immediately after their resounding successes in Niamey and Accra respectively, commending them for doing the nation proud.
In Accra, Nigeria’s Eta Karo emerged as the Championships’ Most Valuable Player(MVP) as the Nigerian team won the top nine places, emerging as the best country in the competition.
The Minister had visited the Scrabble team on the eve of their departure to Ghana and urged them to be worthy ambassadors of the nation, a charge that has now been followed through.
The President of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation(NSF) Olobatoke Aka thanked the Minister for his support and promised that his Federation will ensure Nigeria maintains its status as a global leader in the sport.
In his chat with the Flying Eagles after their victory, the Minister expressed his delight with the team’s performance and for restoring the nation’s pride at age-grade competitions.
He however charged them to stay committed to the greater goal, which is qualifying for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2023.
The Flying Eagles beat the defending African Champions Ghana 2-0, drew 2-2 with Burkina Faso, edged Cote’d Ivoire 2-1 after extra time in the semi-finals before the convincing 3-1 win over the Benin Republic in the final of the 2022 WAFU B Championship.
