NIGERIA BEATS GHANA TO QUALIFY FOR AYC FINAL

The flying eagles of Nigeria smiled all the way to the bank on wednesday evening when they beat Ghana's Black Satellites by 2 - 0 to be the first nation to qualify for the finals of the African Youth Championship. 

Ghana dominated the early exchanges of the game but Nigeria’s Obinna Nwabodo opened the scoring in the 20^th minute through a header which came off the side post and then the back of goalkeeper Michael Sai before entering the net.

Ahmed Musah consoles K. Yeboah

The flying eagles dashed any hopes of a comeback for the Satellites when a clumsy tackle at the edge of the box from Patrick Asmah, earned Nigeria a penalty on the 80^th minute. Captain of the flying eagles Musah Mohammed converted to seal qualification for the Nigerians.

Nigeria will face the winner of Thursday’s semifinal clash  between Mali and Senegal on Sunday whiles the Satellites play the loser of the clash for 3^rd place on Saturday.

MUTAWAKILU SEIDU NEEDS TO BUCK UP - IBRAHIM SUNDAY

Former Black Stars player and coach Ibrahim Sunday has urged Satellites goalie Mutawakilu Seidu to buck up ahead of Ghana's crucial semifinal AYC clash against the flying eagles of Nigeria on Wednesday. 

Mutawakilu Seidu in action for Satellites

Mutawakilu has come under fire in recent times for his under par performances for both club and especially for the U 20 team in the African Youth Championship.

Many claimed he was largely responsible for all the goals the team has conceded in the tournament so far and have urged Sellas Tetteh to drop him.

But the ex-Ghana great believes he has the physique to hit his peak but just needs more technique to become a world class goalkeeper in the near future. He then added that the U 20 goalie must work really hard if he wants to get to the level of goalkeeping greats.

MALIK JABIR IS JUST BITTER - IBRAHIM SUNDAY

Former African player of the year Ibrahim Sunday has hit back at compatriot Malik Jabir, describing him as a 'bitter man'. 

This comes after Malik Jabir launched a scathing attack on ex national star and executive of the Old Footballers Association of Ghana Rev. Osei Kofi as being greedy.

Ibrahim Sunday - Right and Malik Jabir left

Malik Jabir claimed in an interview with Oman fm that he was sidelined in the payment of monies to retired footballers who won the Africa Cup of Nations title for the West African country.

But coach Sunday who described Malik Jabir as his brother explained to TV Africa sports desk that the U 23 team coach was not part of the AFCON winning teams which were rewarded by president Mahama and apart from that, the fund given them by Kuffour was to cater for the needs of the ex-players who were handicapped in one way or the other or without any handy work.  

Rev Osei Kofi led the campaign for ex-players to be rewarded for their selfless service to the nation, leading to the government paying GH¢ 1.7m in fulfillment of a pledge made by Ghana president John Dramani Mahama in the run up to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Ibrahim Sunday added that the executives of the retired footballers are doing everything to create a fund for every Ghanaian footballer who retires to prevent these footballers from dying in a shameful manner.
derekcaesar@ymail.com