By: Gracious Akujobi
The Golden Eaglets continued their impressive build-up towards the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in the UAE with a 9-1 spanking of City Football Club of Calabar- a Cross River State’s League team-at the main bowl of the U.J Esuene Stadium on Saturday.
Coach Manu Garba, fielded six of his regulars to the last CAN Championship including star striker Isaac Success. Of course, Success would score goals in the company of anybody and he was truly in his element as he scored twice with the game under 20 minutes.
It should be said that City offered little resistance from the outset and were duly punished intermittently. Jacob Njoku, former Under-15 stalwart quickly added the third goal. There were additional two goals each for striker Taiwo Awoniyi and Musa Yahaya to end the first stanza
with a healthy 7-0 score line for the Golden Eaglets.
In the second half, Coach Garba brought in some of his new recruits but the game was barely two minute old when City’s striker, Victor latched on a defensive mixed-up to put the ball behind Goalkeeper Emeka Onyia who came in as a second half substitute for Sunday
Alanpasu of College of Football, Abuja.
The goal gingered City on as they momentarily stopped the ceaseless efforts of the Golden Eaglets. But Godwin Odibo of Nathaniel FC of Lagos who has been a thorn in the flesh of the City’s defence was soon badly brought down in the box; and Defender Zaharadeen Bello converted the resultant penalty.
Odibo capped his fine performance of the evening when he drilled an angular shot beyond the reach of the City’s goalkeeper Ola few minutes to the end of the match that was watched by an enthusiastic crowd.
“There is a good prospect with this team and the new boys are gradually settling down into the team,” Assistant coach, Emmanuel Amuneke said afterwards.”We are on the right course and we would keep working on our objectives.”
