The Nigeria U20 team progressed to the next round of the African Youth Championship Qualifiers on a 3-2 aggregate score after a slim 1-0 win over Guinea Bissau in Calabar in the second leg of their second round clash.
Guinea Bissau forced the Nigerians into a 2-2 draw last week by coming from two goals down, but the boys of coach Paul Aigbogun were in no mood to let same happen again as they went all out from the blast of the whistle.
Enyimba forward Wasiu Alalade was particularly lively in the first half with most of the attack of the team coming through him although he wasted a good chance to give them the lead from a goal mouth scramble five minutes into the game.
Alalade was also guilty of also under hitting or over hitting his efforts but his work rate which was complimented by the likes of Ibrahim Mohammed was clear for all to see.
Visiting Guinea Bissau rode their luck to drag the game into half time with both teams locked at 0-0. A score which was also made possible as the bumpy UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar made it hard for the Nigerian team to have co-ordinator in attack.
Eleven minutes into the second half, Kano Pillars golden boy Ibrahim Adamu Alhassan scored the lone goal of the game from the spot following a foul on Alalade in the penalty box.
Collins Matthew
