1 May 2011
Nigeria beat Cameroon 3-2 in extra time to win the African Youth Championship for a record sixth time Sunday at the Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto, South Africa.
After a goalless first half, Nigeria took the lead through striker Olanrewaju Kayode who dashed inside the Cameroonian box before firing past the outstanding goalkeeper Jean Efala for the opening goal of an evenly balanced game. That was in the 74th minute.
Five minutes after this goal, Kayode was brought down by goalkeeper Efala on his way to goal and the resulting penalty was tucked away by Uche Nwofor. It was the Enugu Rangers striker’s fourth goal of the tournament and also made him the goal king of this AYC.
However, the Junior Lions of Cameroon showed real character when they fought back with goals by Franck Ohandza and dangerman Edgar Salli.
Both goals were great individual efforts as they cut in through the right side of the Nigerian defence before firing home from inside the six-yard box.
The Cameroonian goals came just at the nick of time to take this thrilling final into 30 minutes of extra time.
Substitute Terry Envoh would make the difference in the 92nd minute, when he got to the end of a pass inside the Cameroon box before he shot home past Efala for the championship winner.
In the third-placed match, Egypt beat Mali 1-0.
Mohammed Aly’s 57th minute effort was the match winner for the Junior Pharaohs.
Africa will be represented by four teams at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Colombia from July 29. Champions Nigeria, runners-up Cameroon, Egypt and Mali will fly the continent’s flag in South America.
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Nigeria champions of Africa!