Nigeria’s Under-17 team, the Golden Eaglets, grabbed a 2-1 win over Abuja-based side, Amakson Soccer Academy, in a friendly match at the NFF/FIFA Goal Project Pitch in Abuja.
Amakson took a first half lead through Joshua Ireoube while Golden Eaglets’ second half substitutes, Taofeek Jibril and Nduka Ebere, were also on the score sheet.
The match was an opportunity for Coach Emmanuel Amuneke to test new recruits and he was of the view that such trial matches would toughen the players ahead of upcoming engagements.
It also coincided with the ongoing FIFA-organized course for Nigerian referees with the likes of Ferdinand Udoh, Egudia Efosa, Bose Momoh, Paul Umuago amongst others officiating the match at intervals.
Alhaji Ahmad Muazu Kawu, the Chairman of the Nigeria Nationwide League and a board member of the Nigeria Football Federation, who was at the match, described the synergy as crucial to the development of the game, adding that the Golden Eaglets can only get better.
With the pre-match rituals, including a one-minute silence for the late father of Amakson Academy’s coach Tony Adibe concluded, the Golden Eaglets took the kick off but failed to dominate proceeding.
“Frankly, it was a good match, especially on the part of our national team that fought from behind to win,” Bishop Amakiri, the CEO of Amakson Academy, who stood in for bereaved coach Adibe said.
“Our boys gave those boys (Golden Eaglets) a good run for their money and I think this match has helped the national team in testing of their new players.”