Nigeria’s Super Eagles B defeated Ojodu FC 2-0 in a friendly on Friday morning, as they continued their preparations for next month’s African Nations Championship (CHAN), www.aclsports.com reports.
The Eagles defeated Nigeria Premier Football League champions Remo Stars 1-0 on Tuesday, and they have now backed that win up with a victory over the Lagos side. It is the second test match for Eric Chelle’s side at their training camp in Ikenne.
As reported yesterday, Alex Oyowah and a host of newly added players were part of the squad for the game, as they took their places on the bench. Shooting Stars’ goalkeeper, Mustapha Lawal, started once again between the sticks with Abia Warriors striker Anthony Ijoma, who scored the winner on Tuesday, handed a starting berth alongside Sikiru Alimi in a two-man attack.
Despite spending extended time on goal scoring in Thursday’s training session, Eric Chelle’s side struggled to trouble the Ojodu FC backline with Anthony Ijoma and Sikiru Alimi missing a couple of chances. Midfielder Michael Tochukwu, who was having a great game, scuffed his shot from a set-piece before the halftime break, as the half finished goalless.
After the break, Ani Ozoemena replaced Mustapha in goal, while Akanni Qudus came in for the injured Taiwo. Just six minutes in, skipper of the side Junior Nduka went past his marker to set up Anthony Ijoma for the game’s opening goal. It is the second goal for the Abia Warriors striker in two friendly matches.
Not long after the goal, Chelle made several changes, and the Eagles were fully in control despite the slender lead. At the other end, goalkeeper Ani Ozoemena made two big stops to keep the Eagles in the lead before Shola Adelani’s goal was ruled out. However, defender Afeez Bankole fired into the top corner from Godwin Obaje’s layoff to double the Eagles’ lead three minutes from time. The Eagles held on to claim another win without conceding. Meanwhile, the likes of Vincent Temitope, Badmus Nurudeen, and Zayyad Musa were not involved in the match.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles, who will face Senegal, Sudan, and Congo in their group games at the tournament in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, will continue their preparations with another test match against an unnamed club next week.
