Eaglets Trump Niger in African Youth Championship Opener

Nigeria’s U-17 men’s football team, the Golden Eaglets opened their African U-17 Championship campaign yesterday with a 2-0 win over hosts, Niger. First half strikes from Victor Osimhen and skipper Kelechi Nwakali gave Emmanuel Amuneke’s boys the maximum points in the opening game of the 11th African U-17 Championship played at the Stade Général Seyni Kountché, Niamey on Sunday afternoon. Despite having the home advantage, the Mena Cadets of Niger were second best to the Nigerian team, who hit the ground running from the blast of the referee’s whistle. They were rewarded with a goal in the 18th minute when Osimhen put his team infront with a well-taken goal. Nigeria doubled their lead few minutes later through a sublime freekick from skipper, Nwakali which gave the Niger goalkeeper no chance. Souradjou Alhassane was Niger’s main threat in the first half but was unable to test Akpan Udoh in the Nigerian goal as Nigeria went into the break with a 2-goal cushion. After the restart, Niger ran the show and pegged the Nigerians back in their own half, with striker Ibrahim Issoufou going closest to reducing the deficit. However, Eaglets held on for the much needed win and eased pressure on themselves going into their next game against Guinea on Wednesday at the Stade Général Seyni Kountché. A win will guarantee them a place in the knockout phase of the competition and also see them qualify for the 2015 Fifa U-17 World Cup in Chile. Debutant hosts, Niger will face Zambia in the other Group A fixture as they try to steady their ship and get their tournament back on track. Nigeria starting XI vs Niger (4:3:3): Akpan Udoh; Abbas Usman, Saddam Awal, Ayodeji Bamidele, Zakari Usman Halilu; Kingsley Michael, Abdullahi Suleiman, Kelechi Nwakali; Victor Osimhen, Christian Charles, Ebere Osinachi, Subs: Amos Benjamin, Lazarus John, Chibueze Kanu, Orji Okonkwo, Maxwell Paul, Uko Anietie, Nazifi Yahaya, Suleiman Muhammed, Chukwueze Samuel, Nwokoecha Chukwuebuka   About the Writer: Arinze Ude (@arturozinga) is an aspiring cancer research scientist with a master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences (Haematology). He is keen on building partnerships and managing the careers of Nigerian sportsmen and women. He blogs at http://arturozinga.wordpress.com

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This article was first published on 16th February 2015 and updated on February 19th, 2015 at 9:15 am

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