In only their first friendly match since arriving at the famous Aspire Centre in Doha six days ago, the Golden Eaglest on Monday thrashed the local Team’95 7-1.

The game which was played at the Khaled Salman Pitch 4 started at 4.30pm local time and after a ding-dong affair, the Golden Eaglets got the first goal in the 22nd minute through Ifeanyi Matthew who thumped the ball into the net. Success Isaac followed with a brace in the 26th and 32nd minute.

Taiwo Awoniyi had in between, scored the third goal in the 30th minute as the Nigerians youngsters enjoyed a commanding first half performance.

Coach Manu Garba brought on Alhassan Ibrahim and Emmanuel Asadu as replacements for Isaac and Izu Omego to contain the battling Aspire's U-18 team.

The replacements paid off immediately as Bernard Bulbwa added the fifth goal in the 65th minute, Ibrahim capped his purposeful displays with a quick double strike in the 66th and 73rd minute. But the home side finally got a consolation goal through Ehtisham Yaskin with barely five minutes left on the clock.

“It is a good starting point for us here at the Aspire Centre," Coach Garba said afterwards.

"The score line is not really important rather we have been able to see the players under different circumstance.

"The boys are responding well and we really thank both the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Aspire for this opportunity to prepare ahead of the CAN Under-17 tournament," noted Garba.

Similarly, Col. Sam Ahmedu (rtd), Director, Aspire Football Dreams Nigeria, who was in the stands said he was impressed with the performance of the Golden Eaglets, adding that the preparation of the team was well on course at the imposing Aspire Centre.


Source: http://m.goal.com/s/en-ng/news/3837229/