Eaglets complete double over Egypt

Golden Eaglets on Friday recorded a 3-1 win over their Egyptian counterparts to complete a double in two friendly matches played within two days at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna.

Friday’s victory followed Wednesday’s 3-2 win over the visiting Junior Pharaohs. Ebere Osinachi scored a first half brace for Nigeria, while Victor Osimhen added the other goal.

Egypt’s solitary goal was scored by Hosam Adel after his side were awarded a penalty. The game began cautiously with both teams sizing up one another.

However, in the 12th minute, Nigeria took the lead after the visitor conceded a corner. Kolawole Gbadamosi cross met quick-witted Ebere Osinachi who evaded a marker before slotting the ball into the net.

Osinachi could have grabbed another the 30th minute when he
received a through pass following a one-touch with Kelechi
Nwakali but his angular shot went wide off the right side of the post.

Then he wasted another opportunity in the 34th minute when he shot the ball over the bar even with the goalkeeper at his mercy. Almost immediately, Sunday Alimi saw his lively shot ricochet off the post after he capitalised on a blunder by Egypt’s Hatem Ahmed.

In the 43rd minute, Osinachi made up for previous misses when he guided Anas Mohammed incisive pass beyond goalkeeper Mahmod Gad to hand his side a 2-0 first half lead.

In the second half, Emmanuel Amuneke, coach of the Eaglets pulled out Osinachi for Victor Osimhen; Samuel Chukwueze for Chinedu Madueke; Suleiman Abdullahi for Alimi Sunday as well as debuting goalkeeper Ebuka Nwokocha for Amos Benjamin.

Despite constant pressure, the Eaglets failed to take their chances allowing the Egyptians to force their way at the other end.

A counter-attack by the Egyptians forced defender Lukman Halilu to concede a penalty after handling the ball in the box. The resultant penalty kick was converted by Hosam Adel.

In added time, second half substitute, Victor Osimhen drew the curtain on the match when he profited from a precise pass from Muhammed to make it a 3-1 win in favour of Eaglets.

Amuneke said he was not satisfied with the team’s overall performance, promising to ring further changes as the team continue to build up towards the 2015 African U-17 Championship qualifiers in July.

“Yes, we won but I’m not too impressed,” said Amuneke.” But the most important thing is that we have been able to watch the players against a very good Egyptian team.

“We would continue to work hard and we still will give more players opportunity in the days ahead,”he noted.