Africa U20 Cup of Nations: Flying Eagles beat Junior Chipolopolo in a pleasant tie in Abuja

Nigeria outclassed Zambia in a fire-packed, massively entertaining U20 worldwide pleasant in Abuja on Friday night, as each international locations ratcheted up their preparations for this yr’s Africa U20 Cup of Nations beginning in Egypt in a fortnight.

Isah Ladan Bosso’s boys and the guests handled spectators to heartwarming shut management, wonderful turns and dribbles and good positioning play on the turf of Moshood Abiola Nationwide Stadium, however the seven-time African champions may have gained by a wider margin with out the brilliance of visiting goalkeeper Jeban Tembo.

Ayuba Abubakar heaved the ball too excessive when Tembo spilled after a lob by Ogbelu Onuche within the sixth minute, and Tembo was readily available to foil an advancing Ibrahim Muhammad two minutes later. Rilwanu Haliru Sarki’s effort from a 20-yard free-kick rocked the upright within the eleventh minute, and on the different finish, the nifty Moses Mulenga stretched Nathaniel Nwosu from an analogous place six minutes later.

Sarki shot large from a superb place within the twenty seventh minute and had his effort punched away within the thirty third, however there was no stopping him within the thirty ninth minute as he stripped three defenders and unleashed a cannon that Tembo couldn’t cease on its method to the online.

Within the second interval, each groups moved the needle of the strain even greater, and following even exchanges, Derrick Bulaya volleyed previous Nwosu for the equalizer within the fifty fifth minute. One other wonderful Sarki free-kick was stored out by the upright within the 63rd minute and two minutes later, Tembo needed to dash outwards to dam a header by substitute Adams Olamilekan.

Tembo was helpless two minutes after, as Olamilekan related fantastically with a header from a nook kick to revive Nigeria’s lead.

It took the fit-fighting Chipolopolo solely 4 minutes to revive parity, as substitute Lasmond Phiri headed previous Nwosu from a nook kick with the Nigeria defence ball-watching.

With eight minutes left, the persistent Nigerian assault benefitted from a defensive blunder, and substitute Emmanuel Uchebu slammed excessive into the online with Tembo stranded.

One other substitute, Samson Lawal, would have the final chortle as he cleverly discovered the far nook with Tembo’s flailing arms unable to cease a scorcher with one minute of added-time-on performed.

“We’re proud of this victory as a result of the boys performed a superb match, but the staff continues to be a work-in-progress as we hold our give attention to doing nicely in Egypt,” Coach Bosso mentioned on the finish.

The Junior Chipolopolo will fly to Senegal on Saturday for an additional pleasant match, whereas the Flying Eagles will head to a last coaching camp in Morocco on Wednesday.