Football‑loving Nigerians have slammed the Flying Eagles after their lethargic display against The Gambia in the U‑20 Africa Cup of Nations semi‑final at Cairo Stadium, Egypt, on Monday, Sports Extra reports. Junior Scorpions forward Adama Bojang scored the winner seven minutes from the start, latching onto a defence‑splitting pass from Ebrima Singhateh. Although Ladan Bosso’s side dominated possession after conceding early, they lacked midfield creativity and failed to create clear chances.
Forwards Ibrahim Muhammad, Samson Lawal, Haliru Sarki and Francis Abubakar all missed the target, and substitute Belgium‑based forward Ahmed Abdullahi, who won a penalty in the dying minutes, saw his spot‑kick hit the left post and rebound in the 85th minute. Gambia’s goalkeeper Ebou Dampha, named man of the match, has yet to concede a goal in the tournament after five games. The Flying Eagles recorded 21 shots, four on target, while Gambia managed three shots, two on target, and scored from one.
Fans back home were furious and took to social media to vent their anger. Some doubt the team’s prospects at the U‑20 World Cup in Indonesia, scheduled for 20 May to 11 June, while others call for the squad’s disbandment. Eddie Ekpo tweeted, “These Flying Eagles squad should be disbanded and that includes the coaching crew. Terrible squad all round. Are there no coaches in the Nigerian Professional Football League that can handle this squad? Must it be Ladan Bosso crowding the squad with northerners?” Jumoke Josh‑Falade added, “This Flying Eagles team should be disbanded! No tactics, useless long balls and an outdated coach!” Jamiyu Ganiyu wrote, “I hope this is not the team going to the World Cup? I have never seen a poorer, technically deficient U‑20 team than the current one. The coach did not try at all in his selection.” Gbolahan Philips complained, “The Flying Eagle U‑20 are not good at all. They are just kicking the ball instead of passing and keeping possession. @thenff I expect something better from Ladan Bosso. Don’t mind the NFF; I’ve not seen any of these guys who can transcend into the senior team. Plus the age palava. These guys look older than me and I’m in my thirties. I’m just angry with everything, boss. How can you lose to Gambia with an overage team? Nawa…” Damilola Adenusi insisted the coach was inadequate: “Ladan Bosso is not a good coach. He has impacted nothing in the team. The current Flying Eagles are just lucky to qualify. They lack quality and the coach lacks the ability to improve technical and tactical knowledge.”
With this disappointing result, the Flying Eagles will face Tunisia in the third‑place match on Friday, while Gambia will meet Senegal—who beat Tunisia 3‑0 in the other semi‑final—in the final on Saturday.
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