Nigeria's Flying Eagles edge closer to qualification for the 16th Africa Youth Championship, Rwanda 2009, after a 5-0 drubbing of Sudan last Saturday in the second leg first leg clash.

The wide-margin victory means the Sudanese must score at least six unanswered goals during the second leg in a fortnight to edge past the Nigerians, record-five time winners of the biennial championship.

 Parading a squad dominated by members of the Golden Eaglets team that won the World U-17 Championship in Korea last year, the Nigerians simply outplayed their Sudanese opponents, who had to contend with chasing their shadows.

 As early as the 17th minute, Haruna Lukman opened the scorings with a close range effort before Gani Oseni increased the tally just before half time.
A second half brace from Emenike Nkume and another from Gbolahan Salami ensured victory for the West Africans.

 In Accra, Ghana's Black Satellites came from a goal down to beat the Young Scorpions of Gambia 2-1 in a heated clash at the Ohene Djan Stadium.

Midfielder Paul Jaita put the Gambians in the lead after 23 minutes with a cheeky lob that was forced into the net by Ghana goalie Joseph Addo, in his attempt to parry over.

The hosts were gifted a fine opportunity to draw level from the spot four minute from half time after Spain-based midfielder Rabiu Mohamed was fouled in the penalty area, but captain Ransford Osei kick was saved by Gambian goalie Christopher Allen.

 An improved play in the second half by the Black Satellites saw Rabiu struck home the equalizer in the 66th minute and three minutes later Gambian defender Matarr Jobe deflected Samuel Inkoom's shot into his own net for the winner.

 At the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaoundé, defending champions Congo played out a gallant game to hold Cameroon to a nail-biting 0-0 draw.

The Congolese stunned their hosts with an output which confirmed the status as the best youth side in Africa.

 At the Robert Champroux Stadium in Marcory, Koffi Kouassi's 88th minute strike powered the Young Elephants of Cote d'Ivoire to a lone goal victory over their Burkinabe counterparts.

The second leg matches has been scheduled for the weekend of October 10-12 with the winners booking their places for the final tournament to be held in Rwanda from January 18 to February 1, 2009.