As Golden Eaglets defeat Diamond Stars Academy 5-1

Kelechi Iheanacho, one of the graduates from the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) modelled National Under-13 team, shine like the neon light even on a wet evening yesterday, as Golden Eaglets totally eclipsed Diamond Stars Academy of Calabar 5-1 in a test match played at the Saint Patrick College (SPC) in Ikot Ansa within the Calabar Municipality.

The National Under-17 team took the initiatives after Diamond Stars, the Cross River State 2010 Governor’s Cup winner, took the kick off following the signal of proceedings from FIFA Grade 1 Referee, Akwa Robbe.

 Iheanacho combined beautifully with Isaac Success in the attack as the Eaglets seek their opening goal. Success would soon gave Iheanacho a good ball and the latter promptly delivered a half volley shot that rebounded off Nsima Abasi in goal for Diamond Stars -only for the lurking Ifeanyi Matthew to slot into the net for Eaglets’ opening goal in the 12th minutes..

Almost a quarter of an hour thereafter, speedy Success was fouled on the edge of the box after a sweet exchange of passes with Iheanacho yet gain. Ahmed Umar nicknamed Alves after the Brazilian FC Barcelona star, stepped forward and he struck a precise shot straight into the net for the team's second goal to the delight of the coaching staff and spectators.

 “It is about time the players begin to assume responsibilities on the pitch and we are encouraged that they are executing some of the things we are teaching them," said Emmanuel Amuneke, Eaglets' assistant coach and 1994 African Footballer of the Year."

This is our first game but the players are gradually getting back into their groove which is a good thing to see.” Diamond Stars fought back and took over the midfield with the duo of Esu Achibong and Charity Ufot running rings around the Eaglets' defence.

Their efforts were rewarded when Peter Hen headed the ball into the net off a corner kick in the 41st minute. Golden Eaglets restarted the game in the second half but Diamond Stars squandered the opportunity of scoring an equalizer almost immediately when Hen was shot over the bar from the penalty spot.

 The National Under -17 team would further show their superiority with three more additional goals when defender Wilfred Ndidi headed home a pin-point corner kick from Iheanacho in the 57th minute.

Success scored the fourth when he evaded his markers following a pass from Friday Njengo in the 60th minute. Both Gilmond Lukman of Stoke City and Oluwaseun Jegede of Aspire Academy in Qatar came as replacements for Umar and Iheanacho respectively as the second half almost drawn to a close.

But Jegede won’t allow any opportunity to slip as he scrambled the ball into the net few minutes towards regulation time to end the match 5-1 in favour of Golden Eaglets.