Under-17 World Cup: Golden Eaglets Scale Hungarian Hurdle, Wins Opening Match

By Akinwale Kasali

The Golden Eaglets of Nigeria, Saturday night, kept the hopes of the nation alive in its quest to win the coveted cadet FIFA World Cup for the sixth time.

The Garba-Manu tutored boys laboured from a a goal down to win the match 4-2 sitting comfortably at the top of the Group.

As early as the third minute, Hungarian midfielder, Komaroti, scored from a defensive lapse of the Eaglets to slot in the first goal of the match.

The Golden Eaglets were on top of their game, out-playing their opponents, but failed to make it count.

It took the Nigerian youngsters 13 minutes after the European side took the lead to equalise from the penalty spot following a foul on striker, Wisdom Ubani, with captain Samson Tijani slotting the ball into the net.

The joy of the Golden Eaglets was short-lived as the Hungarian capitalised on a defensive mix-up from the Nigerian lads to take a 2-1 lead courtesy of Hovarth Major.

Hungary took the lead into the break, foiling all the attacks of the Golden Eaglets, who were pressing forward to get an equaliser.

The Golden Eaglets had to wait until the 78th minute before Usman Ibrahim nodded home from a corner kick to give the West African side a deserved equaliser.

Within the next 49 seconds, the Golden Eaglets had taken the lead from  right back Oluwatimilehin Adeniyi who also nodded home from close range to give Nigeria the lead.

A defensive minded Hungary came out of their shells to salvage a draw from the encounter, but they were left dumbfounded and disappointed as captain Samson Tijani extended the Golden Eaglets lead from a set piece that was deflected into the Hungarian net by its center back.

With this victory, Nigeria has garnered three points and will be hoping to win its second group match against Ecuador on Tuesday 29th, 2019, at Belo Horizante, to book a place in the knockout stages.