Friendly: Egypt holds Golden Eaglets

Nigeria’s U-17 team, the Golden Eaglets, on Friday night were held to a goalless draw by Egypt in the first of their two-tie friendly played at the Police Sports Federation Stadium in Cairo.
Coach Emmanuel Amuneke and Egypt’s Mohammed Ali Gamiel admitted that both teams performed well with the promise to make few changes when they battle again on Sunday at the same venue.
The match, which kicked off 10pm local time(9pm Nigerian time) saw the Junior Pharaohs dominating the first 15 minutes with their crisp short-passing game, yet without any threat to the resolute Nigerians.
However in the 17th minute, Samuel Chukwueze got the ball into the net after Egypt’s goalkeeper, Ahmed Sallah, rebounded into play a lively shot by Suleiman Abdullahi, but was strangely ruled offside by referee Mohamed El-Hanafy, who also ruled Chukwueze offside yet again in the 26th minute after the lad pounced on a loose ball and drove an angular shot into the net.
The Egyptians nearly went in front in stoppage time of the first half when Captain Hamdy Abdulaziz whipped-in a volley that took all of Eaglets’ Benjamin Amos’ agility to parry into a corner.
The Nigerians stepped up the tempo of the game in the second half and practically dominated the game for the greater part of the session, but poor marksmanship robbed them of many chances.
“The match today was a good test for us as well as the Egyptian team,” remarked Amuneke. “The Egyptians have improved and are more physical than the team we beat twice in Kaduna but we would have the chance to do much better when we play again on Sunday.”
Amuneke’s view was shared by his opposite vastly experienced Egyptian gaffer: “Without any doubt, this is a very good match because the two teams showed a lot of passion and energy.”
Added the Physical Education Doctorate Degree holder: “I’m sure we would have another good game on Sunday and hopefully, these two teams would eventually qualify for the CAN Championship in Niger next year.”