Nigeria

Nigeria vs Hungary: Golden Eaglets begin quest for 6th World Cup title with win

Sunday, October 27, 2019 at 3:44 PM by Nomso Obiajuru

- Nigeria vs Hungary ended in an entertaining 4-2 scoreline in Group B of the 2019 U17 World Cup

- The Golden Eaglets had to come from a goal down twice to claim an opening day victory

- Captain of the side, Samson Tijani, scored a brace in the encounter

Nigeria U17 team began their quest for a sixth World Cup title with a 4-2 win against Hungary in a group B tie played at the Estadio Olimpico Pedro Ludovico stadium in Brazil on Saturday, October 26.

However, Manu Garba boys had to come from a goal down twice to claim an opening day victory after conceding as early as the 3rd minute.

Hungary took the lead after an unmarked Gyorgy Komaromi poked home from close range after he was found free inside the box.

But that goal forced Nigeria to wake up from their sleep as they could have leveled matters in the 6th minute after Ubani's free-kick was almost met by Saheed at the far post.

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The Golden Eaglets will however get their equalizer in the 20th minute after Ubani was brought down inside the box. Captain of the side, Samson Tijani, stepped forward to take the penalty and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to restore parity.

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But sloppiness again at the back allowed Hungary take the lead for the second time in the 28th minute as Nigeria’s goalkeeper Daniel Jinadu could do nothing as Samuel Major’s strike found the back of the net.

After going behind for the second time, Nigeria twice tested goalkeeper Krisztian Hegyi in goal for Hungary. First from the boot of Ubani, whose shot in 32nd minute was well gathered by the goalkeeper.

Before Tijani tried his luck from yards out in the 36th minute but his effort was well saved by the goalkeeper. The first half ended 2-1 in favour of the Europeans.

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In the second half, Nigeria were forced to make changes, as Amoo came on for Opeyemi while Jabaar replaced Ubani.

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And both substitute almost combined for Nigeria's equalizer as Amoo's cross in the 76th minute was met by Jabaar but his header was well saved by the goalkeeper.

But Nigeria will go on to get the much needed equalizer in the 79th minute as a goalkeeping howler allowed Usman Ibrahim nod home a corner from close range.

The Golden Eaglets made it two goals in three minutes as Oluwatimilehin Adeniyi found the back of the net with a brilliant header to give Nigeria the lead for the first time in the game.

Five minutes later, it was 4-2 as Samson Tijani's deflected free-kick found the back of the net as Nigeria showed great character to turn around the scoreline.