The Flying Eagles rounded up their preparations for the U20 AFCON with a 6-1 thumping of Moroccan club Kawkab Athletic U23 in a final test game today.
Kawkab Athletic were a replacement for Central African Republic U20s, who pulled out at the last minute.
Coach Ladan Bosso experimented in defence with third-choice goalkeeper Jimoh Saheed startings, Sweden-based Abel Ogwuche paired Benjamin Frederick in the heart of the back four and much-improved Mavlon FC star Caleb Ochedikwu was picked in defensive midfield ahead of Daniel Daga and Onuche Ogbelu.
Gombe United midfielder Mohammed Aminu opened scoring for the Junior Eagles after just a minute of action.
Ibrahim Mohammed ‘Beji’ doubled the lead after 17 minutes, before midfielder Samson Lawal increased the margin 10 minutes later with a superb strike from outside the box.
Third-choice goalkeeper Jimoh Saheed will then pull of a great save before he let in a goal in the 36th minute.
But in quick response, Emmanuel Uchegbu responded almost the next moment with a fourth goal for the Flying Eagles.
Captain of the day Augustine Njoku made it 5-1 just before the half time break.
Substitute Jonathan Nicholas netted the first goal of the second half in the 70th minute, when he made hay courtesy of an assist by flying winger Haliru Sarki.
The Flying Eagles will depart for Cairo, Egypt, tomorrow.
Flying Eagles Starting XI (4-3-3) Jimoh Saheed – Solomon Agbalaka, Augustine Njoku (Captain) (Daniel Daga), Abel Ogwuche, Benjamin Frederick (Onuche Ogbelu) – Caleb Ochedikwu, Samson Lawal (Jude Sunday), Mohammed Aminu (Jonathan Nicholas) – Emmanuel Uchegbu, Olamilekan Adams (Daniel Bamaiyi), Ibrahim Mohammed (Haliru Sarki)
