ABUJA – Nigeria’s Flying Eagles on Friday in Abuja continued their build-up for next month’s 2015 African Youth Championship (AYC) qualifier against Lesotho with an 11-0 thumping of Jay 1 Academy.
The test match played at the practice pitch of the National Stadium, Abuja, saw Bernard Bulbwa and Abubakar Lawal both scoring a brace each with Jay 1 Academy also scoring two own goals.
There were further goals by Sulaiman Abdullahi, Musa Muhammed, Ifeanyi Matthew, Zaharadeen Bello and Ahmed Umar to finish the rout.
The Flying Eagles started on a good note and missed two early chances before Bulbwa got the opener in the 8th minute.
Abdullahi doubled the lead in 17th minute when he rifled home a low shot from outside the box.
Ahmed Mustapha of Jay 1 Academy had a chance to get on the scoreboard in the 20th minute, but blasted wide, off target.
Lawal then tucked home a third goal nine minutes later when he went clear of the goalkeeper.
Skipper Musa Muhammed converted from the penalty spot after Kelechi Iheanacho was fouled inside the box for a penalty in the 32nd minute.
Bulwa got his brace through a powerful header in the 41st minute.
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Lawal also completed his brace with a lovely solo effort that came just at the end of first half stoppage time.
Thereafter, there were two own goals from Frank Umunna and Ayo Bamigbola in the 58th and 63rd minute as the Flying Eagles boxed their spirited opponents in their own half of the pitch.
Substitute Matthew made it 9 – 0 in the 70th minute after he was set up by Iheanacho and Bello added the tenth goal after an attack initiated by Lawal in the 87th minute.
Jay 1 Academy came close to getting a consolation goal in the 89th minute when Mustapha’s free kick crashed against the Flying Eagles post.
However, their misery was compounded after Umar grabbed a late goal in stoppage time through an audacious effort from the center circle that completely beat the goalkeeper.
Nduka Ugbade, Flying Eagles’ Assistant Coach, told newsmen after the game that “although the National U-20 side won by a high margin, the team is not yet where it is supposed to be.
“We will continue to work on the team especially on their tactical discipline’’, he said.
The Flying Eagles will take on Lesotho in two-leg final qualifiers for a ticket to the 2015 AYC in Senegal.
The first leg will be played in Nigeria on Aug. 15, while the second leg would take place two weeks later in Lesotho. (NAN)
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