Flying Eagles defeated Zambia 4-2 in a warm-up game ahead of this month’s U20 AFCON in Egypt.
SCORENigeria picks the five players who showed they are ready for the championship, which will produce four teams for the U20 World Cup in Indonesia in May.
5.Onuche Ogbelu
The schoolboy sensation expressed himself more when Daniel Daga was replaced in the second half. He has always looked like a conservative player who kept a lot in the tank and not doing much when the team surge forward. However, in the absence of Daga he could be seen joining the attack besides trying to stabilise the backline.
4.Emmanuel Uchegbu
The Plateau United forward fired a good goal when he came off the bench. He has forced his way into top reckoning in recent weeks and should he continue to work on his finishing, he could soon be pushing for a starting spot in this team.
3.Olamilekan Adams
The Remo Stars winger scored his third goal on a trot as a centre-forward. He has so far proved to be the striker Bosso has been chasing since the U20 AFCON qualifiers in May 2022. Even with limited service from midfield, he can conjure some magic with his mobility and powerful surges into the opposing box.
2.Daniel Bamaiyi
As always, ‘General’ Bamaiyi was solid and very effective in the heart of the back four. The captain’s armband did not work against him. He made some timely interventions to keep out the Zambians, but he will need to do more in organising the entire defence after they let in two needless goals.
1.Haliru Sarki Man of Match
The left-footed winger who plays on the right flank broke the deadlock with a superb individual goal in the first half and was denied by the post twice. He was also successful in several take-ons. Sarki has been the most improved Flying Eagles star since the qualifiers last year. He has always had blistering pace, but he has since added goals and direct play to his arsenal.
Flying Eagles Starting XI (4-3-3)
Nathaniel Nwosu – Solomon Agbalaka, Augustine Njoku, Abel Ogwuche (Benjamin Fredrick), Daniel Bamayi (Captain) – Daniel Daga, (Samson Lawal) Onuche Ogbelu, Mohammed Aminu (Nicholas Jonathan) – Ibrahim Mohammed ‘Ibeji’ (Jude Sunday), Francis Ayuba(Olamilekan Adams), Haliru Sarki (Emma Uchegbu)
