Nigeria’s U-17 men’s football team, the Golden Eaglets, were held to a 1-1 with Derby Academy in a friendly match, at the Sunrise Football Pitch in Abuja.
The Golden Eaglets are preparing for the WAFU-B U17 Championship, which starts on the 10th October in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
Derby Academy start brightly and dominate the opening exchanges, but Nigeria’s defence remains organised to keep the hosts at bay.
The five-time world champions gradually take control of midfield, using quick passing and transitions to put pressure on the Derby defence. However, neither side finds the breakthrough before half-time.
The hosts take the lead on the hour mark after a Derby Academy player is brought down inside the box. The resulting penalty is calmly converted to make it 1-0.
The goal prompts a response from the Eaglets, who increase the pressure and equalise seven minutes later. Both sides continue to push for a winner, but neither could find a decisive goal as the match ended 1-1.
Nigeria are drawn in Group B of the WAFU-B U17 Championship alongside Côte d’Ivoire and Niger Republic, with the Golden Eaglets set to play their opening match on 14th October.
