The Nigeria U20 let slip a two goal lead to draw 2-2 against Guinea Bissau in the first leg of the final qualifying round for the African Youth Championship which took place in Bissau.
Nigeria started the game the better side and it wasn’t long before they race into a two zero lead, thanks to a well taken brace by Enyimba FC forward Wasiu Alalade.
Alalade put the Eagles ahead in the 15th minute before adding another in the 35th minute to give the Nigerian side a 2-0 lead as both teams head into the dressing room.
Guinea Bissau emerged from the break a changed side and thanks to some questionable officiating pulled a goal back in the 55th minute before drawing level ten minutes after their first goal.
Flying Eagles of Nigeria were frustrated by the officiating with as many as six of them getting booked for offences which ordinarily shouldn’t have earned them a yellow.
Few minutes to the end of the game, the Nigerians almost steal an away win but Peter Eneji, one of the seven players booked failed to make the most contact with the ball during a goal mouth scramble.
The return leg will come up in two weeks time in Nigeria at the UJ Eusene Stadium in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State following a confirmation by the Nigeria Football Federation ( NFF) yesterday.
Osas Mahawi
