Five-time world champions, Golden Eaglets kicked off their 2022 WAFU U-17 Zone B Tournament in flying start with a 4-2 win against perennial rivals Ghana’s Black Starlets Saturday.
The match played at the Cape Coast Stadium, saw Emmanuel Michael, Precious Williams, Jubril Azeez and Wisdom Ekere score a goal each for Nigeria.
The team coached by 1985 FIFA U-16 World Championship-winning captain Nduka Ugbade were imperious as they dominated and eventually overpowered hosts Ghana.
Ghana threatened initially in the early stages of the first half but their efforts was punctured in the 12th minute through a powerful shot via a free kick by wing back Michael.
The host frantically sought penalties with theatrical falls around the penalty area three minutes after they conceded the goal but referee Daniel Kassa would not be conned.
However, Williams got the second goal for Nigeria with a minute left in the first half as he latched onto a rebound after Ghanaian goalkeeper spilled a fierce strike by Kevwe Iyede.
The vital goal ensured the Golden Eaglets went into recess on the ascendancy against the host nation in the coastal town.
Nigeria’s advantage was extended further in the 51st minute through Azeez with a scrambled effort as the Ghanaian keeper sprawled on the ground but was unable to keep the ball away from goal.
But the Starlets pulled a goal back seven minutes later when substitute Abdulrazak Salifu got the better of goalkeeper Richard Odoh.
The Eaglets would not relent and in the 77th minute, midfielder Okere netted to restore Nigeria’s three-goal lead with an assured finish.
A momentary loss of concentration in the vital area led to Nigeria conceding a penalty with two minutes to the end.
Captain of the Black Starlets, Collins Agyemang made no mistake as he cooly converted from the spot and cut Nigeria’s advantage to two goals.
108scoop reports that with the victory, the Eaglets top Group A of the championship ahead of their clash with Togo on Tuesday.
Victory over the Togolese will guarantee Nigeria a spot in the tournament’s semi-finals.
Group B is made up of Cote d’Ivoire, Benin Republic, Burkina Faso and Niger Republic.
In a related development, England’s winless start to their Nations League campaign continued as they were held to a 0-0 draw at home by a youthful Italy side at a near-empty Molineux on Saturday.
The first meeting between the nations since the tumultuous Euro 2020 final at Wembley last year was a tame affair with precious little to cheer for the 2,000 children allowed to attend despite a UEFA ban.
England’s Aaron Ramsdale was the busier of the two keepers, with crucial saves in the first half to deny Sandro Tonali and Matteo Pessina as Italy cut through England’s defence.
With Harry Kane left on the bench until the 65th minute, England lacked attacking spark and the closest they came to scoring was Mason Mount’s first-half shot against the bar.
Raheem Sterling wasted a glorious opportunity after the break but England did not do enough to earn the win.
Gareth Southgate’s side are bottom of Group A3 with two points from their opening three games while Italy, who failed to qualify for the World Cup, are top with five points.
The match was played without fans as part of a UEFA punishment for crowd trouble during last year’s Euro 2020 final at Wembley which Italy won on penalties.
While England’s lineup had an experimental feel and the atmosphere was flat, the lack of quality and their over-cautious style will be a cause for concern with the World Cup looming in Qatar in November.
It is the first time they have gone three games without a win since Southgate took charge and they have not scored a goal from open play in their last three games.
“We improved upon a lot of things today,” Southgate said. “We had two or three really good chances that we needed to score and lacked that bit of sharpness in the final third.
“But the general performance I was pleased with. I thought the second half we were the better team.”
Mancini would have been the happier of the two managers as his new-look side played the better football, starting from the third minute when but Davide Frattesi side-footed a superb chance wide of the post.
Mount should have scored when he was played in on goal but his curling effort rattled the crossbar.
But the slicker moves came from Italy and Ramsdale made a stunning save with his legs to deny Tonali who looked poised to score from Giovanni Di Lorenzo’s volleyed cross.
The Arsenal keeper then had to react smartly to keep out Pessina’s looping shot on the stroke of halftime while Gianluca Scamacca also fired another chance over.
Sterling, captain for the night, should have put England ahead but his scooped finish over the crossbar rather summed up a disappointing night for the hosts.
