Flying Eagles head coach Paul Aigbogun says it’s unfortunate his boys lost the third-place play-off final to the Amajita of South Africa at the just concluded 2019 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Niamey, the Niger Republic.
The Flying Eagles were beaten 4-3 on penalties in the Semifinals by eventual champions Mali after the game ended 1-1 after 120 minutes.
In Saturday’s loser final, the team had the opportunity to redeem itself but they failed to put up a good showing once more as they were served another penalty shoot-out defeat by the South Africans to finish fourth for the first time in the history of the competition.
Aigbogun who is under fire back home due to the uninspiring display of the team, however, rues the inability of the team to score goals.
“Unfortunately, we couldn’t score during the 90 minutes and it goes to penalties like the semi-final and it’s anybody’s game, and unfortunately, we lost,”
“I don’t think you can train penalties well. Our first penalty taker lost and he has been taking all our penalties.” Aigbogun said after the game.
The Flying Eagles alongside Mail, South Africa, and Senegal will represent the continent at the U-20 World Cup in Poland later this year.
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