Algeria 2023: Golden Eaglets pick three points, defeat Zambia in first game

Advertisements

Nigerian Golden Eaglets had the maximum three points in a 1-0 win over Zambia as they started their Africa U17 Cup of Nations campaign in Algeria on a promising note on Sunday.

Favour Daniel scored the first and only goal of the game against Zambia 14 minutes to the end.

The outcome, in Algeria’s second city, gave Nigeria all the three points in a largely average encounter that opened the campaign in Group B.

Nigeria dominated for large part of the evening encounter at the Stade Mohamed Hamlaoui, but ineffective short passes and poor shooting in front of goal denied them many goals against a Zambian team that failed to bite.

Both teams could not score in the first half as Abubakar Abdullahi saw his efforts saved twice as Nigeria piled on the pressure.

The five-time world champions were set to take a two-goal win into their clash with Morocco on Wednesday, but substitute Light Eke made light work of a penalty kick awarded two minutes into additional time and gave the goalkeeper no worries.

Nigeria defender Yahaya Lawali was named Man of the Match.

After their encounter with Morocco on Wednesday evening, the Eaglets will play South Africa in their final match of Group B on Saturday.

The four top-placed teams at the 12-nation finals will represent Africa at this year’s FIFA U17 World Cup.