Flying Eagles striker Olanrewaju Kayode will miss Saturday’s AYC final Group B clash against DR Congo after he received his second booking of the competition.

The all-action striker was booked by the Tunisian referee Youssef Essreyaryi for ignoring his whistle by putting the ball into the net after he was blown offside. He was also booked in the opening game against Mali.

Even though he has yet to find the back of the net, Kayode has been the livewire of the Flying Eagles strike force with his persistence and speed.

The former Asec Mimosas of Abidjan star has impressed several scouts here in Algeria for the U20 championship.

His likely replacements are Alhaji Gero, who was the team’s joint leading scorer in the qualifiers with four goals, and Umar Aminu, who plays as a second striker at Wikki Tourists of Bauchi.

Defending champions Nigeria need only a draw against DRC on Saturday afternoon in Oran to reach the semi-finals of the tournament and qualify for the FIFA U20 World Cup in Turkey in June.

With a draw, they will top closest rivals Gabon on the head-to-head rule having beaten them 1-0 on Wednesday even if the Junior Panthers get a cricket score in their final group game against group leaders Mali