Inexperience played a key role in the Flying Eagles defeat to the Young Pharaohs Scorpions of Gambia, according to head coach Ladan Bosso.

The Flying Eagles dominated the semi-final contest at the Cairo International Stadium but were let down by their poor marksmanship.

Adama Bojang netted the decisive goal on seven minutes following a defensive blunder by Flying Eagles captain Daniel Bamaiyi.

Substitute Ahmed Abdullahi won a penalty late on but hit the woodwork, ending the Flying Eagles hopes of winning their eighth title.

“We lost stupidly; we were naive from the start,” a disappointed Bosso said after the game.

“We failed to take our chances, and we also missed the penalty in the 86th minute.”

The Flying Eagles will take on Tunisia in the third-place match on Friday.

In the other semifinal, the North Africans were thrashed 3-0 by the Cubs of Senegal.