Golden Eaglets Pummel Super Lion 9-1

Nigeria's U-17 team, Golden Eaglets notched yet another victory in domestic friendly matches on Wednesday's morning with a flattering 9-1 score line against Super Lion Football Academy at the NFF/FIFA Goal Project pitch in Abuja.

Among the goals for Golden Eaglets were Victor Osimhen, Ebere Osinachi who grabbed a brace each as well as Suleiman Abdullahi, Samuel Chukwueze, Kelechi Nwakali and Kehinde Ayinde; Super Lions' Moshood Aliu conceded an own goal while Omo'Oba Kasali got his team's consolatory goal.

The friendly match against the Suleja-based team from Niger State was Golden Eaglets' first in almost three months since their victory against Akpabuyo United in Calabar on September 20, 2014 but the Emmanuel Amuneke-led boys showed no sign of rustiness in a high-tempo match.

They were rewarded with the first goal in the 4th minute when Osimhen's shot bounced off goalkeeper Segun Sunday for the curtain raiser.

Lion's responded swiftly and got the equaliser in the eight minute following a acrobatic volley by Kasali that beat Amos Benjamin But five minutes later, Abdullahi restored the Eaglets' lead when he broke free from the off side trap to slot the ball behind on-rushing keeper Sunday. Fleet-footed Chukwueze grabbed the third goal in the 17th minutes after latching on to an incisive pass from new boy and former national Under-15 midfielder, Abass Ibrahim.

Meanwhile, Captain Nwakali came up with perhaps the best goal of the match with a well-struck free-kick on the edge of the Lion's box
twelve minutes later for Eaglets' fourth goal. Yet three minutes later, under-pressured Lion's captain Idowu conceded a cheeky own goal as he headed the ball straight into his own net off a pullout from Chukwueze while Osimhen got his second goal on the stroke of half time.

In the second half, Amuneke introduced his new recruits sourced from the recent open screening and they did acquaint themselves even against supposedly bigger opposition. Nevertheless, it was the more experienced striker, Ebere Osinachi who snatched a brace in the 70th and 72nd minute while his replacement, Kehinde Ayinde powered home a header off a precise pull out from former Under-15 midfielder, Feyi Asagidigbi to the delight of the watching spectators.

"Overall, this is a very good performance by the boys irrespective of the score line," Amuneke said afterwards. " We are very impressed with the marking ability of the team, their cohesion and calmness  against a very good side  because the Super Lion players are more experienced but for us, this is a good starting point and we would continue to work harder."

The Golden Eaglets are fine-tuning their preparation ahead of the 11th African U-17 Championship to be hosted in Niamey between February 15 and March 1st where they are drawn in Group A against host Niger, Guinea and Zambia.

Golden Eaglets vs. Super Lion:  A. Benjamin (E. Nwokeocha 45);E. Akpan(A.Muhammed 45);U. Abass (Mustapha 45);A.Ibrahim (Q. Taofeek 45);B. Ayodeji(L. Halilu 45);U. Douglas(M. Salisu 45);S.Abdullahi (P.Orji 45);S. Chukwueze (Yaro 45);K. Michael(E.Agenor 45);K.Nwakali(A.Haliru 45);V.Osimhen( E.Osinachi 45; K.Ayinde 75).