By G9ija
Nigeria’s national U-20 men’s football team, Flying Eagles, on Friday played a 0-0 draw with Niger Republic in a friendly match.
The game, played in Niamey, was the team’s first international friendly in preparation for the WAFU B U-20 tournament.
It is slated for Niger Republic in May.
The Ladan Bosso tutored boys started the match brightly but failed to take their chances in front of goal.
In the second half, the Nigeriens piled pressure, but were repelled by the Nigerian defence marshalled by Captain Oluwatosin Adegbite and the composed Nathaniel Nwosu in goal who made some brilliant saves.
Bosso ringed changes later on in the game with most of the midfielders and forwards being substituted but still without a goal.
The coach, after the match, assured that the team will correct some of the mistakes observed, especially its finishing.
The team would play another build up game on Monday before the commencement of the competition which runs from May 7 to 20, 2022 in Niamey.
The Flying Eagles starting line up in the match: Nathaniel Nwosu, Njoku Augustine, Abubakar Babaji, Daniel Daga, Oluwatosin Adegbite, Bolu Sholumade, lekan Oyedele, Tolulope Ojo, Aminu Muhammed, Hilary Albert and Adams Olubi.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the team had earlier played some local friendlies in Abuja before traveling to Niamey on Thursday.
The Flying Eagles, seven-time African champions, are in Group B alongside perennial rivals Ghana and Burkina Faso.
Hosts, Niger Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, Togo and Benin Republic would do battle in Group A.
The top two teams from each group will progress to the semi finals of the competition and only the two finalists would qualify for the 2023 U-20 AFCON in Egypt.
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