Egypt Force Eaglets to Stalemate in Cairo

Nigeria’s men’s under-17 football team, the Golden Eaglets, played out to a goalless draw in the first of a two-fixture friendly match against hosts Egypt on Friday night.

Both teams had their fair share of possession in the match played at the Police Sport Federation Stadium in Cairo, but failed to make the most of chances in the final third.

Samuel Chukwueze’s 17th-minute strike after Egypt goalkeeper Ahmed Sallah rebounded Suleiman Abdullahi’s shot into play was however ruled off side by referee Mohammed El-Hanafy.

Golden Eaglets Coach Emmanuel Amuneke Satisfied With His Players' Performance After the Draw in Cairo.
Golden Eaglets Coach Emmanuel Amuneke Satisfied With His Players’ Performance After the Draw in Cairo.

Chukwueze thought he had finally hit the back of the hosts’ net on 26th minute, when he powered home an angled shot from a loose ball, but his celebration was again cut short by the referee.

Egypt almost grabbed a goal in first-half stoppage time, but ‘Young Pharaoh’s skipper Hamdy Abdulaziz’s volley was powered for a corner by Nigeria goalkeeper Benjamin Amos.

The final fixture comes up on Sunday. Nigeria won both legs of friendly matches played against same opponents in Kaduna.