Nigeria 5 Iraq 0: Eaglets Trounce Iraq to Reach the Last 16 of the FIFA U-17 World Cup

Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets cruised into the round of 16 of the ongoing FIFA Under-17 World Cup with an emphatic 5-0 victory over Iraq in their final Group F match on Friday.

Goals from Musa Mohammed, Chidiebere Nwakali, a brace from Musa Yahaya and Chigozie Obasi ended a miserable campaign for the Arab nation in Dubai.

Nigeria thus finished the preliminary round as group leaders with seven points after Mexico and Sweden shared the spoils in a goalless draw in AL Ain.

The Golden Eaglets meant business right from the blast of the whistle and were denied a goal in the very first minute when Nwakali hit the bar.

Golden Eaglets are Through to the Round of 16 of UAE 2013.
Golden Eaglets are Through to the Round of 16 of UAE 2013.

Goalkeeper Dele Alampsu came up with some terrific saves to deny Iraq any chance of registering a goal.

Captain Mohammed opened scoring in the third minute from the penalty spot after Yahaya was brought down inside the box, before Nwakali increased the tally to 2-0.

Alampsu saved a free-kick in the 13th minute and punched a dangerous corner-kick away from goal two minutes later.

Yahaya made it 3-0 in the 17th minute to place coach Manu Garba’s men in the driving seat.

Bello Zaradden was then on hand to stop Iraq’s attack move when he blocked a goal-bound shot for a corner.

Musa Yahaya completed his brace four minutes to half-time, after the Iraqi goallee fumbled a corner-kick.

Iraq returned after the interval to mount pressure on the Nigerian defence which failed to yield.

Taiwo Awoniyi was denied a goal by the crossbar after a great effort eight minutes into the interval only for a Samuel Okon rebound to fly over the bar.

Alampsu made triple saves to deny Iraq a consolation in the 86th minute before Mohammed cleared off the line.

Second-half substitute Obasi fired a pile-driver from 25 yards to make it 5-0 for Nigeria in the closing stages of the match.

Nigeria will now meet the runners-up in Group E, which has Canada, Austria, Argentina and Iran on Tuesday in Dubai.