U-20 W/Cup: Flying Eagles Crash Out

Uruguay in a space of little over two weeks has broken the hearts of Nigerians in football.
First, it was the senior team of the South American country that contributed to Nigeria’s Super Eagles failure to progress at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil, courtesy of a 2-1 defeat in one of the Group B matches.
Last night at the ongoing 2013 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Turkey, Uruguay’s Youth team emulated their senior counterparts and handed  another 2-1 beating to the Flying Eagles in the round of 16 match of the World Youth Championship.
Thus, just like the African youth championship and the tournament in France, the Flying Eagles failed to reach the quarter final stage and booked early ticket home.
Nigerians had expected the Coach John Obuh tutored team to raise their game and perhaps reach the last four of the championships, but they shot themselves in the foot when Abdullahi Shehu was sent off late in the first half.
Uruguay waited until the 65th minute to take the lead when Lopez exploited keeper Okani and his defenders’ blunder. But Olarenwaju Kayode’s blistering equalizer raised hope of a possible survival by the Flying Eagles.
However, a late minute penalty kick, converted by Lopez in the 84th minute sealed Nigeria’s fate.

Super Eagles of Nigeria against Spain during the just concluded Confederation Cup