The youth national team, Flying Eagles failed to hold a remarkable two-goal advantage against Guinea Bissau on Saturday, and eventually settled form a 2-2 away in their African U-20 Nations Cup qualifier.
A brace from Wasiu Alalade had put Coach Paul Aigbogun’s side into a commanding position at the September 24 Stadium on Saturday but second half strikes from the hosts restored parity in a game that had started to look like it was slipping out of their grasp.
The Flying Eagles made much of the early running and it was little surprise when they took the lead in the 15th minute through the clinical Alalade.
The visitors’ control of the tie looked to be absolute as Alalade scored a brace to put Nigeria 2-0 up but Guinea Bissau, who had nine players based in Portugal lined up for the match, were not willing to go down without a fight.
They pulled back into the game and reduced the deficit in the 54th minute. Guinea Bissau leveled up matters three minutes after the hour.
Two away goals for Nigeria gives them the edge in the tie, but Guinea Bissau will take great encouragement from their second half showing – particularly the extent to which their forward line was able to rattle the Flying Eagles defence.
