The Olympic Eagles have again overturned their first leg loss at Sudan, to clinch the 2019 U23 AFCON Ticket slated for Cairo, Egypt, in November.
The Imama Amapakabo’s team snatched the AFCON ticket from their Sudanese counterpoarts after a 5-0 win, qualifying on a 5-1 aggregate win.
The game which took place at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba saw Ndifreke Effiong netting twice, while Taiwo Awoniyi, Sunday Faleye and Sunusi Ibrahim scored a goal each to push the Dream team VII through to the 2019 AFCON tournament.
Scoring at the first 10 minutes of the return leg fixture, Taiwo Awoniyi’s Opener helped the Olympic Eagles to level up their 1-0 firs leg loss to Sudan bringing the score line to 1-1 on aggregate.
After goal from Awoniyi opened the scoreline, both sides fought hard to take advantage. But it was the Olympic Eagles who pressed the throttle cables harder and were rewarded soon after when Ndifreke Effiong doubled Nigeria’s lead on 27 minute, driving in a strong headed effort beyond Sudanese goalkeeper, Mohammed Adam from John Lazarus’ cross.
The Sudanese then poured out in numbers for an away goal but it was Ndifreke who grabbed a brace and took the scoreline to 3-0 (3-1on aggregate) when he poked home from an Ebube Duru cross on 45 minutes.
Nigeria went into the halftime break holding an emphatic 3-0 lead.
Sunday Faleye made it 4-0 on the hour mark to hand Nigeria a 4-1 aggregate lead. Later, Sunusi Ibrahim made it 5-0 as Nigeria ran to a comfortable 5-0 lead and (5-1) on aggregate.
At this stage, the home side resorted to entertaining the Stephen Keshi Stadium fans with skill and sleek ball work while winding down the clock.
With this win, Nigeria has qualified for the 2019 CAF U-23 Africa Cup of Nations slated for Cairo, Egypt, in November and will also be fighting for a chance to be among the three African team to compete at the Olympics in Tokyo come 2020.
