Nigeria’s national U20 team; the Flying Eagles on Friday opened their campaign at the 2019 FIFA U20 World Cup by thrashing Qatar 4-0 in Group D’s first game decided at the Tychy Stadium in Tychy, Poland.
Nigeria’s captain Ikouwem Udo Utin who plays for Enyimba FC led by example by providing assists for both of the Nigerian goals as the first half ended 2-0 in favour of Paul Aigbogun’s lads.
Left back Utin overlapped in the 12th minute and beat an opponent before sending a vicious cross for his club mate Maxwell Effiom who slid home at the far post to give Nigeria the lead.
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Utin then did even better in the 24th minute, going past three Qataris before cutting back for Sweden based Henry Offia who tapped home to an empty net.
Nigerian goalkeeper Olawale Oremade made two saves early in the second half to preserve Nigeria’s two-goal lead before Manchester City starlet Tom Dele-Bashiru scored Nigeria’s third on 68 minutes. The midfielder side footed home from close range after latching onto Kingsley Michael’s incisive pass.
Nigeria added a fourth sixteen minutes from time through centre back Aliu Salawudeen, giving the 2005 finalists a commanding start to the competition.
Nigeria will face United States of America in their second group game on Monday at the Bielsko-Biala Stadium in Bielsko-Biała. The US and Ukraine face in the group’s second game on Friday night.
