Suleiman Shines As Eaglets Crush Cross River Selected 6-1

 Suleiman Abdullahi produced a man-of-the match performance on Wednesday as the Golden Eaglets thrashed a Cross River State selected side 6-1 at the Abraham Ordia Stadium complex inside the University of  Calabar.

There were goals also for Golden Eaglets' trio of Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Nwakali and Jack Ipalibo while Kingsley Ogoyi scored the consolatory goal for the Cross River State selected side.

Abdullahi scored the first goal and Golden Eaglets' landmark 50th after 15 matches, in the 9th minute when he struck a text-book free kick from the periphery of the opposition box. Beanpole striker, Victor Osimhen added the second goal five minutes later when he connected a whipped-in corner kick by Lazarus John.

However, Eaglets' defender, Dayo Femi conceded a penalty in the 16th minute which was well converted by Kingsley Ogoyi who sent Amos Benjamin the other way.

In the 35th minute, it was the turn of Cross River State selected side to concede a penalty which Abdullahi buried beyond the reach of goalkeeper Fidelis Ogiri.

Abdullahi would get his hat-trick in the added time of the first half when he nodded home a pin-point pull out by Orji Promise.

Both sides brought fresh faces in the second half but it was the Golden Eaglets that showed more enterprise with better ball possession. Barely five minutes after the restart, Chinedu Madueke was hacked down from behind in the box after a fine dribble run and the resultant penalty was scored by Nwakali.

But for all their good play and artistry, the Golden Eaglets were unable to press the advantage but within seconds to spare, Jack Ipalibo scored arguably the best goal of the day when he initiated a one-two pass with Ebije Yahaya before burying the ball behind the goalkeeper.
Golden Eaglets' coach, Emmanuel Amuneke (MON) in a post match analysis, commended the spirited performance of both teams despite the lopsided score line.