Eaglets Trounce Academy 7-1 In Friendly

Nigeria’s under-17 men football team, the Golden Eaglets, last Monday thrashed Aspire Academy of Doha 7-1 in an international friendly match in Qatar.

A statement by the team’s Media Officer, Morakinyo Abodunrin, said the game was played at the Khaled Salman Pitch 4 in Doha.

The match was the Eaglets’ first test match since they arrived in Doha on March 13.

The Eaglets are in Doha on a three-week training tour ahead of their participation in the 2013 U-17 African Junior Championship (AJC) billed for Morocco from April 13 to 27.

“The team had a commanding first half performance as they recorded four goals in the first 45 minutes.

“The first goal came in the 22nd minute through Ifeanyi Matthew, while Success Isaac followed with a brace in the 26th and 32nd minutes with Taiwo Awoniyi scoring the third goal in the 30th minute.

“Bernard Bulbwa added the fifth goal in the 65th minute, while substitute Alhassan Ibrahim justified his entry in the 66th and 73rd minutes with the sixth and seventh goals.

“The home team didn’t give up as Ehtisham Yaskin scored their only goal barely five minutes towards the end of the match,’’ the Eaglets’ spokesman said in the statement.

The statement also quoted the team’s head coach, Manu Garba, as saying “it is a good starting point for us here at the Aspire Centre’’.

The coach said the game’s scoreline was not really important as much as the chance to see the players perform in a different environment.

“Rather, we have been able to see the players under different circumstance.

“As it is now, the players are responding well and we really thank both the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) and Aspire for this opportunity to prepare ahead of the under-17 tournament,’’ he said.