Flying Eagles lost by two unreeled goals to their Tunisian counterparts in a warm-up match played on Thursday at the Esperance training ground complex.
The Nigeria U20s fell behind after 20 minutes through a glancing header inside the six-yard box, which goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel helped into his goal.
The hosts doubled their lead six minutes later through another header inside the box off a free kick from the left.
Coach John Obuh made three changes by the 37th minute, replacing Azubuike Okechukwu, Abubakar Aliyu and Nzube Anaezemba with Ovboka Agboyi, Chidi Osuchukwu and Moses Orkuma.
These changes seemed to stabilise the Flying Eagles and just before the start of the second half, Alhaji Gero came on for Bright Osagie and Umar Aminu replaced Oluwaseun Taro.
Gero sparked the Junior Eagles strike force.
His header after 46th minute went wide and five minutes later, his shot at goal just missed target as the Flying Eagles took full charge of proceedings.
The African champions continued to dictate the pace with Uche Agbo failing to make hay when clear on goal after 65 minutes, before Gero created yet another opening only for his chip to go wide.
In 70th minute, Metz midfielder, Saliu Sodiq, replaced Agbo.
Gero was again involved in two serious incursions by the Flying Eagles to the Tunisian goal area.
First, in the 77th minute, his header from inside the box brushed against the post before it rolled out for a goal kick.
And in the 82nd minute, Aminu’s header off a cross by Gero missed its mark.
The Flying Eagles will play a second test game against Esperance on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Denmark-based winger, Edafe Egbedi, will join the Flying Eagles in Tunisia on Tuesday after he encountered a visa hitch.
Egbedi has residence permit in Europe, but that was not enough to get him into Tunis.
He will now have to fly to Nigeria to obtain an entry visa and then join the squad on Tuesday.
“He will join us on Tuesday. We have put everything in place to ensure he comes on this day,” said team Secretary Aliyu Lawal Ibrahim.
Metz midfielder, Saliu Sodiq, and Mikel Agu from FC Porto, have joined up with the squad as expected.
Sodiq arrived on Wednesday, while Agu was received by Assistant Co-ordinator, Abdulrahman Umar, at the Tunis airport on Thursday afternoon.
Flying Eagles starting XI
Emmanuel Daniel, Aigbe Oliha, Aliyu Goyi (Skipper), Hassan Abubakar, Favour Ekoh – Azubuike Okechukwu (Ovboka Agboyi 37), Nzube Anaezemba (Moses Orkuma 37), Ibrahim Abubakar Aliyu (Chidi Osuchukwu 37), Bright Osagie (Alhaji Gero 46), Uche Agbo (Saliu Sodiq 70), Oluwaseun Taro (Umar Aminu 46).