Gallant Flying Eagles crash out

Flying Eagles of Nigeria

The Flying Eagles crashed out of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Columbia after losing 3-2 to France in the quarterfinal match played Sunday night.

Nigeria started strongly with Ahmed Musa threatening the opponents defence but the Flying Eagles fell behind after 50 minutes of play, with Alexandre Lacazette slotting in from a defence-splitting pass.

There was enough time for Nigeria to equalise but apart from the good display by France goalkeeper Jonathan Ligali, Musa missed many chances despite running rings round the French defenders.

Nigeria’s coach John Obuh made a final minute substitution, replacing the unlucky Musa with Maduabuchi Ejike with a minute left on the watch. There was a last minute drama as the change paid however, when Ejike nodded in the equaliser and forced the match into extra-time.

In the 102nd minute, Gueida Fofana’s clever lob beat goalkeeper Dami Paul to extend France lead. Just when Nigeria was looking for an equaliser, Lacazette struck again as he beat Paul in goal and scored France’s third goal from the far angle.

Nigeria did not surrender to France’s brilliant attacking style, with Ejike scrambling in a second goal but France held on to win the semifinals ticket.

It was the second consecutive time that Nigeria would be losing out of the competition in the quarterfinals. In 2007, the Flying Eagles, coached by Ladan Bosso, lost 4-1 to Chile as Nigeria failed to build on the second place achieved in 1989 and 2005.

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