AAG: U-23 Eagles, Falcons miss out on gold

In from Nifemi Daniel …

It was a bad day for Nigeria football teams at the ongoing All Africa Games in Congo Tuesday evening, as the U-23 Eagles and the Super Falcons lost their semifinal matches thereby missing out of the chance to win the gold medals of the football event.

The Samson Siasia-tutored U23 Eagles who wasted several scoring chances were shocked by Burkina Faso 3-1, while the Super Falcons fell 2-1 to their perennial rivals, the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon.

The Burkinabes were also very physical and forced Nigeria to make two changes as a result of injuries – Umar Aminu was replaced by Kingsley Sokari in the 48th minute and 10 minutes later, Mustapha Abdullahi came on for the injured Ndifreke Effiong.

Burkina Faso doubled their lead after 73 minutes through Omar Kabore, before substitute Etor Daniel reduced the deficit in the 75 minute after good work by Junior Ajayi.

Read also: AAG: Nigeria win gold, silver in Table Tennis

But just when it looked like Nigeria will stage a remarkable comeback, Burkina Faso increased their lead to 3-1 in the 78th minute courtesy of Arba Dicko.

The team will now fight for bronze against host Congo who lost 3-1 to Senegal in the first semi-finals just as the Super falcons will battle Côte d’Ivoire in a rematch for the bronze medal.

Falcons too did not get any breathing space from the Lionesses as the Cameroonians scored two goals within three minutes to put them on the back foot.

Theresa Abena scored the opener in the 10th minute, before Madeleine Ngo Mani doubled their lead in the 12th minute.

FK Minsk defender Onome Ebi scored Falcons consolation goal three minutes into the second half.

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