Reigning Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) champions Kano Pillars suffered a 2-1 defeat in the hands of Nigeria U20 team on Match Day 2 of the Super 4.
Suleman Abdullahi opened scoring for the Flying Eagles in the 22nd minute, when he latched on to a cross by Taiwo Awoniyi to beat goalkeeper Theophilus Afelokhai.
The match was back on level terms on 32 minutes when the U23 captain, Musa Mohammed headed into his own goal while trying to make a back pass to goalkeeper Olorunleke Ojo.
Kalmar FC forward, Awoniyi restored Eagles’ one-goal cushion two minutes later, cutting inside his marker before picking his spot to beat Afelokhai.
Afelokhai then saved Chidera Eze’s penalty kick and Mohammed’s effort from the rebound was kept out by the goalkeeper in the 64th minute after Wasiu Jimoh was brought down in the area.
Both side’s goalkeepers pulled off some good saves, with Afelokhai parrying Jimoh’s free-kick and Eagles’ Olorunleke denying a couple of goalscoring chances by Gambo Mohammed and Abdul Haruna.
The coach, Manu Garba side are now top of the pre-season standings with maximum six points, while Pillars and Enyimba- 1-0 winners against Warri Wolves earlier on Monday- have three points apiece.
