Niger 2019: Flying Eagles blow two-goal lead in Guinea Bissau

Nigeria’s U20 boys, Flying Eagles, were on Saturday held to a 2-2 draw by Guinea Bissau in the first leg of a 2019 Africa U20 Cup of Nations first round qualifying fixture in Bissau.

Flying Eagles were the better side and led 2-0 uptill the first half, thanks to a brace by Wasiu Alalade in the 15th and 35th minutes.

However, the hosts returned stronger in the second half reducing the deficit in the 54th minute. before drawing level three minutes after the hour.

Head Coach Paul Aigbogun blamed his boys for losing concentration in the second period, but expressed confidence that the seven-time African champions will do the job in the concluding encounter in Nigeria.

Both teams clash again at the Udoukaha Jacob Esuene Stadium, Calabar on Saturday, 19th May 2018, with the winner on aggregate to proceed to the second round of the qualifiers to play the winner of the Guinea/Mauritania encounter.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation has expressed appreciation to the Ambassador of Nigeria to Guinea Bissau, His Excellency Adeyemi Ambrose Afolahan for hostng the team to a welcome dinner in Bissau on Friday.

The NFF also thanked the Commander of the Nigerian contingent and deputy force commander of the ECOWAS Mission in Guinea Bissau, Colonel Taye Ahmed, for taking time out of his busy schedule to watch the team’s training on Friday.