NFF vice president urge Flying Eagles to win the AYC Trophy for President Jonathan

Babalola Tomiwa

The vice president of the Nigeria Football Federation, Seyi Akinwunmi has charged the Flying Eagles beat Senegal in the final of the CAF U-20 African Youth Championship this evening to prove that their U-17 World Cup feat two years ago was not a flash.

This is the second time this two sides will be meeting since this competition kicked off two Sunday's ago, with Nigeria beating the host country 3-1 in the opening game, and would be looking to repeat the feat while the Senegalese side are hoping to revenge their opening game defeat to the Nigeria's U-20 team later today.

Mr. Akinwunmi told Garba this because the bulk of the World Cup-winning U-17 team are now in the present U20 team that have already made it to the final of the 2015 AYC in Senegal, and they can also go ahead to win the trophy at the end of the 90 minutes in Dakar.

“You must show that what you achieved at the U17 level was not a fluke. Show yourselves as true champions today,” charged Akinwunmi when he delivered a moving address to the team at the Alafifa Hotel in Dakar Sunday morning.

“This team is the pride of the nation and it will be a crowning glory for the country as this will be the last cup before the general elections in the country.

“Football does not know politics or religion, but it knows your flag and so every single Nigerian is looking forward to receiving this cup. So, please do us proud even against the host nation.”

Also, Senate committee member on sports, Mudashiru Husain, enjoined the Flying Eagles to be disciplined and crown a superb AYC campaign by winning the cup.

“Nigeria is the giant of Africa and you will again prove this on the pitch today,” he said.

Both coach Manu Garba and Taiwo Awoniyi promised to deliver the AYC title today.

“We’re in the final and we cannot afford to return to Nigeria without the cup,” said Manu.

“They all know that the country’s pride is at stake and so the importance of this final.”

Awoniyi added: “We have said from the beginning of this tournament that we want to be at the World Cup as African champions. So, nothing but the cup will do for us.” NFF