Captain Oluwatosin Adegbite and Bolu Sholumade formed an impressive central defensive partnership but the Flying Eagles strikers failed to take the many chances they created in an U20 AFCON warm-up against Niger.
Adegbite and Sholumade, who both play in the Premier League, proved great cover for giant Water FC goalkeeper Nathaniel Nwosu to keep Niger from the Flying Eagles goal.
It was the second clean sheet the team will post after they were held to a goalless draw by Real Sapphire of Lagos in their final test game in Nigeria before their departure to Niamey.
Coach Ladan Bosso replaced all the strikers and the midfielders in the second half with only the starting defence playing the entire game.
Both teams will clash again on Monday.
Flying Eagles Starting XI vs Niger:
Nathaniel Nwosu – Njoku Augustine, Abubakar Babaji, Daniel Daga, Oluwatosin Adegbite, Bolu Sholumade, lekan Oyedele, Tolulope Ojo, Aminu Muhammed, Hilary Albert, Adams Olubi.