Nigeria Professional Football League U-17 team defeated their counterparts from Serie A side Torino 3-0 to claim their first win at the Guateng Future Champions Tournament holding in South Africa.
Kano Pillars teen sensation Nazifi Yahaya stole the show with a brace, including setting up Toluwase Arokodare to tap into an empty net for the opener as early as two minutes into the game.
The team made up of players selected from various Nigeria Professional League team drew their first game against host South Africa yesterday, and just like their first game they gave away an early penalty.
However Mohammed Galadima saved the Nigerians from going behind by stopping Nicola Rauti’s spot kick to save the blushes of Sadiq Abdullahi who handled the ball in the box in the 5th minute.
The save galvanised the NPFL U-17 team as star forward Nazifi Yahaya doubled their lead in the 16th minute for his first goal of the game, courtesy of a low cross from Mustapha Musa.
Torino were reduced to ten men when Simone Potop was sent off in the 20th minute for a professional foul he committed as the last man of his team defence.
Few minutes to the end of the game, which is usually played for 60 minutes, Nazifi grabbed his second and his side third goal of the game to round up a comprehensive win for the Austin Eguavoen lead lads.
*Daniel Martins
