Flying Eagles skipper vows to fight back after Portugal loss

Nigeria’s U-20 skipper, Abduljaleel Ajagun, has promised a fight back
by the team after it lost 2-3 to Portugal on Friday in an opening U-20 World Cup game.
“We are all disappointed we lost the game, but we are also looking
forward to our next game against Cuba on Monday,” said Ajagun.
His two second-half goals were not enough to stop a Portugal victory
in front of over 10,000 fans at the Kadir Has Stadium in Kayseri,
Turkey.
Coach John Obuh also said the match against Cuba should now be the focus.
Obuh said: “It was a keenly contested game, but unfortunately we lost. “This was not what we had hoped for.
“We have to take the defeat in good faith, so as to face the next game because we have to qualify to the next round.”
Portugal raced to a two-goal lead in the first half.
Tricky Bruma, who was not at the Toulon International Tournament on
account of an U-19 engagement, made his presence felt on the half hour when he put away his chance after he was set up by skipper Joao Mario.
Big striker Aladje, who was a major injury doubt before the match,
then made it 2-0 four minutes later, after goalkeeper Samuel Okani
failed to hold on to a low cross from the left.
However, the Flying Eagles fought back gamely after the interval, with skipper Ajagun grabbing two goals to draw his team level.
First, he put away a pass from Olanrewaju Kayode after 57 minutes and
10 minutes later got his team at par when his delightful free kick
beat outstanding Portugal goalkeeper Jose Sa.
But just when Nigeria thought they had salvaged a result from this
encounter, the lively Bruma fired the match winner moments after
Ajagun’s equaliser.
In the other match in Group B played earlier, South Korea came from
behind to beat Cuba 2-1.
PANA/NAN.