The cadet national team, Golden Eaglets’ 2-0 win against host Turkey in their opening match at the UEFA Assist Invitational Tournament has gained plaudits from the assistant coach of Nigeria’s under-15 squad, Haruna ‘Ilerika’ Usman, who says it is another step forward for youth football in the country, megasportsarena.com reports.
The Future Eagles’ back-up handler added that it is also another confirmation that the efforts of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in terms of developmental policies in the round leather game are paying off, as many of the current Eaglets’ players passed through the under-15 team.
It was an explosive encounter from the blast of the whistle as Turkey tried to unsettle their Nigerian counterparts at the early stage of the game, but the Eaglets stood firm and thereafter asserted their presence by their smooth brand of football which yielded fruit when OIakunle Olusegun hit target in the 10th minute.
The goal gave the Eaglets confidence as they dominated possession with scintillating passes and continuous bombardment of their opponents’ vital area for more goals, but the scoreline stayed 1-0 at the break.
Turkey tried to fight back on resumption but met a strong resistance in the defence of the Eaglets but, just as it happened in the first half, the Nigerian teenagers enforced their superior quality as they controlled play, creating more goal-scoring opportunities, but failed to increase the tally.
However, pressure told on Turkey’s defence and they finally caved in to concede a penalty that was converted by Divine Nwachukwu, to seal a clean sheet win for the Eaglets, who will next play Guatemala on Tuesday, and Usman ‘Ilerika’ is already excited about the squad’s future prospects.
Ilerika stated: ‘This is another plus for youth football in Nigeria,. We are happy to be part of this progress, because many of the players in the Eaglets were previously with us in the under-15 team as well. That means we are seeing gradual progression through the youth level in Nigeria.”
