TheCable

Nigeria U-20 team, the Flying Eagles, played a 2-2 draw with their counterparts from Cote d’Ivoire in their final Group A African Youth Championship match on Saturday.

Folly Anderson gave the Ivoirians the lead after only six minutes against Nigeria who had already qualified for the knockout stage before this tie.

Tournament debutant Christian Pyagbara equalised from what was Nigeria’s first real attempt on goal.

The Junior Elephants went ahead yet again in the 32nd minute through Meite as the first half ended 2-1 in their favour.

On the resumption of the second half, the Flying Eagles laid siege on their opponent’s box in of search of an equaliser.

The pressure eventually led to an Ivoirian committing a foul in their box and the referee wasted no time to point to the spot for a penalty kick in favour of Nigeria.

Captain Musa Mohammed coolly converted the kick to draw the game level.

Goalkeeper Ojo Olorunleke was the hero as his save denied Meite his second goal and a possible winner for the Ivoirians which proved to be the final chance of the entertaining game.