Soccer-Nigeria lands in U-20 finals

Kumasi (Ashanti), 5 March, '99 -

Nigeria's Flying Eagles beat their neighbours, Cameroon 2-1 in the first semi-final match of the Africa Under-20 Youth Football Tournament at the Kumasi Sports Stadium in Kumasi today. The Flying Eagles were propelled to the final berth through the extra brilliance of striker Afolabi Rabiu, who struck twice in this match of equals. Cameroun kicked-off and nearly caused a stir in the sixth minute when slippery Komol Gaspard dashed along the left as the ball was floated to him but goalkeeper Okoye Sam was quick on his mark to deflect a shot to corner, which was wasted. The Flying Eagles hit back, earning a corner-kick two minutes later when the Cameroonian defence failed to stop a move as fast-running Babaginda Haruna split the defence. Backed by the drumming, trumpeting and chanting supporters, the Eagles laboured for 19 minutes before Afolabi Rabiu scored the opener for them from close-range. His piercing shot went through a forest of legs, hitting the back of the net with great velocity as goalkeeper Kameni Idris Carlos tried in vain to stop the ball. The Nigerians assumed command of the game as their opponents struggled to keep pace with the trend of affairs. The Cameroonians equalised in the 29th minute when Komol Gaspard headed past advancing goalkeeper Okoye Sam in a crowded goalmouth action. The stadium vibrated with cheers from the sparse crowd, who hitherto applauded every beautiful move by the Cameroonians. The Nigerians, as if possessed, went all out but wasted a chance in the 36th minute when Babangida shot off target after he strolled through the defence. They made it 2-1 in the 56th minute through Afolabi Rabiu, whose 30-metre free-kick zoomed into the net as the Cameroonian goalkeeper nose-dived. After the goal, the Flying Eagles had the ball to themselves as they held their opponents spell-bound with inter-positional changes, quick runs and crisp passes. Zimbabwean referee Felix Tangawarima showed Adrew Ottou of Cameroon the yellow card in the 70th minute when he handled the ball in the Nigerian half. In the 80th minute, Cameroon wasted a scoring chance as Mbami Modeste, in a good position to score, fumbled in front of goal. The Eagles piled the pressure on their opponents, who showed signs of tiredness and therefore could not return the attack till the end. The Nigerians removed their jerseys, did a lap of honour and stopped at the stand of their drumming supporters to acknowledge cheers. Two-goal hero Afolabi Rabiu won the best player award.

Scorers: Nigeria- Afolabi Rabiu (19 and 56) Cameroon- Komol Gaspard (29)