Nigeria's Flying Eagles won the losers' final at the ongoing African Youth Championship (AYC) in Algeria defeating Mali 2-0 on Friday.

John Obuh's men exerted some sort of revenge after they had lost 0-1 to the Malians in their first meeting in the group stage.

Obuh dropped Olarenwaju Kayode to the bench and handed Christian Pyagbara a starting place while Wikki Tourists' forward, Aminu Umar continued up front.

El-Kanemi left-back, Kingsley Madu ventured forward from his defensive role to try and open the score from range.

The Nigerians were restricted to long range efforts in the first 45 minutes by the Malians who looked disciplined at the back.

The game was bogged down in the middle for longer spells as both teams fought for possession in midfield.

With few minutes to the break, Olympique de Bamako defender, Hamidou Traore was through on goal after a first great touch on the ball but instead he failed to ruffle Nigeria goalkeeper, Jonah Usman.

On 42 minutes, Adama Niane, who scored the winner when both teams met in the group stage, struck from 30 yards and Usman was alert to beat the ball away from his goal.

Nigeria started the second half with intent. Dolphins' winger, Chidi Osuchukwu swung in a cross but unmarked Pyagbara could only head horribly off target at the far post.

And 10 minutes into the restart, Umar raced into a through ball but got his technique of a snap shot all wrong as the ball flew wide.

Obuh later sent on Kayode for Pyagbara as the Nigerians continued to push for a goal in the game.

Osuchukwu's weighted pass then found Umar inside Mali's goal area in the 67th minute but the Wikki striker failed to hit the target with his half volley.

On 73 minutes, Umar bundled the ball across the line from a rebound barely a yard out after Mali keeper, Ali Yiringo, made a meal of Abduljeleel Ajagun's shot from Osuchukwu's free kick.

And within minutes Nigeria broke on the offence but Umar's strike was too tame as Yiringo gathered the ball with ease.

With less than 10 minutes to regulation time, Umar was upended in an aerial challenge which resulted in a spot kick. The striker stepped up and converted calmly for his fourth goal of the Under-20 African championship to become the leading scorer.

In the 87th minute, Nigeria failed to clear their line leading to Adama Traore's shot being pushed by Usman into the path of an unmarked Tiekoro Keita to stamp home from close range.

In added time, Nigeria had nervy spells. One of such had Usman off his line to clear and was caught out but Chizoba Amaefule's clearance fell to Hamidou Traore, who skewed his effort wide as the Flying Eagles held on to win the game.