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Eaglets soar above Argentina, top Group A
THE much-criticized Golden Eaglets of Nigeria yesterday in Bauchi proved they are ready for the challenge of retaining the FIF U-17 World Cup trophy by beating pundits' favourites , Argentina 2-1 to move to the second round of the competition as Group A winners.
Before yesterday's game, the Eaglets had four points after their 3-3 draw against Germany and a hard-earned 1-0 victory over Honduras.
But the team embraced the Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi, as if they were in the final game of the competition, throwing everything they had at the South Americans who, prior to the game, were seen as one of the favourites for the title.
Argentina, which has never won the title since its inception in 1985, started the game on a blistering note, with Esteban Orfano putting them ahead just two minutes into the game.
The strike, coming as early as it did, silenced the Bauchi crowd who came into the game expecting their beloved Golden Eaglets to open competitions in the city with victory. But they were not to remain quiet for long as Omoh Ojabu gave them a goal to cheer three minutes later off a Terry Envoh corner helped on to him by a flicked header from Stanley Okoro.
Thereafter, the Eaglets took complete control of the game, but their recurring malaise, wastefulness in front of goal, continued to dog their efforts.
Perhaps Argentina underrated the Eaglets, resting several of their starters, including leading scorer Sergio Araujo and Daniel Villalva. But even without the duo, they proved a hard nut to crack.
Nigeria would have scored more goals in the first but for the inability of the strikers to convert begging chances.
First, in the 35th minute, goalkeeper Ignacio Arce failed to hold Aigbe Oliha's shot from outside the box, but substitute Sani Emmanuel could not tuck away the rebound from eight yards out.
Two minutes later, Ramon Azeez fired a powerful shot that goalkeeper Arce scrambled for a corner.
Nigeria picked up from where it stopped in the second half, but the tiring Argentines resorted to slowing down the game apparently playing for a draw. But the Eaglets continued to pile on the pressure on the South Americans.
Their efforts paid off in the 73rd minute when rampaging substitute, Lanre Kayode was brought down in the Argentine box for a penalty to Nigeria. Sani Emmanuel stepped up to tuck in the ball for Nigeria's second goal.
With the victory, Nigeria topped Group A with seven points, while Argentina remained on six points to follow the Golden Eaglets into the second round.
Germany, which defeated Honduras 3-1 in Abuja, will have to wait for the conclusion of the last group matches to know if they have made it through as one of the best third placed teams in the competition.
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