The Nigeria U20 team of coach Ladan Bosso played another test game as part of their preparation for the U20 Africa Cup of Nations and came out with a resounding 8-1 win over AA Zaura Academy.
Ojora Mustapha drove the ball beyond the keeper. Most teams would now be happy to defend for a while to compensate for an early goal but Zaura didn’t change their formation or tactics, and Flying Eagles took advantage.
About four minutes later Adam Olamilekan was tripped inside the box, after little contact. The silky winger had earned a penalty for Yahaya Ibrahim to score, 2-0.
Salisu Abdullahi reduced the deficit for Zaura in the 31st minute.
For Flying Eagles and Zaura the best way of defense is attack, but Flying Eagles had the luxury of being 3-1 up! After a delicious pass from Daniel Daga, Aminu Mohammed finished of the main course with a great finish.
For Zaura, this was in danger of becoming a cricket score, so what happened? They conceded another as Ayuba Francis showed predatory instinct.
An own goal from Mahmoud Mohammed made the scoreline 5-1 before Ayuba Francis bagged a brace.
Flying Eagles were playing like gods, whereas Zaura were abysmal at best. Even at half-time, no-one could quite believe their eyes at the scoreline.
For Ladan Bosso it would probably be one of the easiest team-talks he will ever make and probably the same for the Zaura manager, as whatever he would say would fall upon deaf ears.
After the break Flying Eagles played the possession game they have perfected as Zaura played a little bit better, but not much.
Substitutes Shettima Umar and Olawiyola Matthew added two more goals for Bosso’s team.
For the neutrals it was splendid to watch, for the Nigeria U20 team it was beautiful to play.
Flying Eagles XI: Nathaniel Nwosu, Augustine Njoku, Solomon Agbalaka, Benjamin Fredrick, Daniel Bamaiyi, Daniel Daga, Aminu Mohammed, Yahaya Ibrahim, Olamilekan Adam, Ojora Mustapha, Ayuba Francis
Reserves: Chijioke Aniagboso, Samson Drambi, Obinna Aha, Hassan Shuaibu, Odole Adedoyin, Tambi Nathaniel, Wilfred George, Johnson Onoha, Umar Shettima, Musa Usman, Kadiri Collins, Shodeinde Moses, Olayiwola Matthew, Okoroji Chukwudi, Sadiq Yalwa, Anas Yusuf, Bright Vincent, John Joshua, Chijioke Osuji