Ogenyi Onazi played for the CHAN Eagles to beat FCT FA Cup semifinalists Mahanaim 3-2 in their first friendly game against a playoff against Ghana later this month.
Non-league Mahanaim stunned the local Eagles with two quick goals, before they fought back to edge the game 3-2 at the practice pitch of the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
Onazi played the first half, which ended 2-2.
He later told reporters he was training with the national team to be fit before he heads back overseas.
Goalkeepers Olorunleke Ojo and Nathanial Nwosu from the U20s as well as Faisal Sani, Uche Uwuasonaya, NPFL hot shot Chijoke Akuneto and Andy Okpe played for the CHAN Eagles.
After an exciting first half, the Eagles kept their opponents at bay on resumption to score the winning goal.
The CHAN Eagles, under coach Salisu Yusuf and assisted by Kennedy Boboye, will play a second friendly match this evening against AS Roma Academy.
The Eagles will play away to Ghana on August 28 with the return leg a week later in Abuja.
The overall winners will qualify for the CHAN in Algeria early next year.