Flying Eagles Return To Winning Ways

The national Under 20 team, Flying Eagles returned to winning ways with a 3-0 whiplash of FC Aktov, a Premier League club from Kazakhstan.

Omo Ojabu scored two of the goals and Chidi Osuchukwu hit the third as the Nigeria side ran riot in the friendly game played in Antalya.

Thursday’s was the sixth friendly match played by the Flying Eagles since they left Nigeria on Saturday, February 12.

The team flew into Libya and played the Under 20 team of that country on Monday, February 14, the game ending 1-1 after Chidi Osuchukwu scored for Nigeria and Libya equalized late in the first half through a penalty.

Two days later, the two teams played another 1-1 at the same Hugo Chavez Stadium in Benghazi, the Libyans going ahead before Bright Ejike brought Nigeria to level terms.

The team arrived in Antalya, Turkey on Friday, February 18 for a 25-day training camp, and drew 2-2 with a Turkish League team on February 23, the Nigerian goals coming through Omo Ojabu and Terry Envoh.

Envoh was the scorer in another 1-1 draw with a Kazakhstan club on February 25, and on Tuesday, the Flying Eagles suffered their first defeat in a 1-2 loss to Ukrainian club, FC Alexandra, Gomo Onduku scoring the goal.

On Thursday, Omo Ojabu scored twice before Osuchukwu added the third in the big win over the Kazakhstan side.

Head Coach, Sam John Obuh said his boys are now close to his idea of how they should play at the African Youth Championship.

“Honestly, the boys have picked up and their spirit is good. I pray they remain this way and even improve positively as we look forward to the African Youth Championship”, said Obuh.

The delegation will fly out of Turkey to United Arab Emirates on Wednesday, March 9 and will play the Egypt U-20 team on Friday, March 11. On Sunday, March 13, the Nigerians take on the U-20 team of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, also in Dubai.

NFF’s Acting General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu said they are expected to fly back to Nigeria on March 14 and we have made arrangement for them to fly to the new tournament venue, whenever that is named by CAF, depending on the new date for the competition”.