Nigeria's Eaglets beat Mali's Junior Eagles

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Nigeria’s U-17 national team, the Golden Eaglets, on Sunday beat the Junior Eagles of Mali 2-0 in the first leg final Qualifier for the 2013 African Junior Championship at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar.

The Manu Garba-tutored team took the lead in the 26th-minute of the game through a perfectly headed cross by Wilfred Ndidi in Jersy number 5.

The goal boosted the confidence of the team as they took control of the match to end the first half at 1-0.

The Eaglets came back better in the second half but poor finishing robbed them of goals.

However, Alhassan Ibrahim made it two in the 83rd minute of the game.

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Speaking to newsmen after the match, Garba said the team was unlucky, adding that he would work on the scoring ability of the team. “We will re-strategise before the second leg in Bamako.”

He said that his boys controlled the game but missed several scoring chances.

On his part, the Malian coach, Sanni Coulibaly, said that his boys played well. “They lost to ill-luck; I wish Nigeria goodluck, he said through an interpreter.
The second leg comes up in two weeks in Bamako.

Meanwhile, former Super Eagle’s skipper Nwankwo Kanu described the boys as a “bunch of talented players”, adding that they would improve with time. “I believe in them; I trust the team and I know what the coach is able to do,’’ Kanu said, adding that Nigerians should support the team.

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