Nigeria’s Flying Eagles produced a vivid attacking display to come within touching distance of a place in the 2017 African Youth Championship after beating their Sudanese counterparts in the first leg of the final round of the qualifiers at the El Merriekh Stadium on Sunday night.

A sublime effort from Mohamed gave Sudan a first-half lead as the Flying Eagles were unlucky not to score after Gavi Thompson and Victor Osimhen went close with their efforts.

Samuel Chukwueze put the Emmanuel Amuneke managed side on level terms seven minutes after the hour mark.

With the game looking like ending in a draw, Osimhen popped up to drill home the winner three minutes from time.

Barring an upset, Nigeria’s flag will be hoisted at the 2017 edition of the AWC in Zambia.

The return leg will take place at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos in the next fortnight.

Igho Kingsley