U20 AFCON: Flying Eagles, Morocco share points in feisty encounter

The Flying Eagles of Nigeria and Morocco played a goalless draw in their U-20 African Cup of Nations Group B encounter at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo on Sunday night.

Despite both sides parading a plethora of foreign-based players on their respective sides, the entertaining encounter expected by fans and pundits failed to materialize, with both sides failing to string passes together, and the referee resorted to frequent stoppages due to nibbling fouls.

Aliy Zubairu, coach of the junior Eagles, had hinted at possible changes in his starting XI before the match, and he stayed through to his word, with Caleb Ochedikwu and Kparobo Arierhi replaced by Israel Ayuma and Precious Benjamin.

The first chance of the match came in the 15th minute from Morocco as a shot to the near post by Mouad Dahak was diverted by goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt for a corner kick but the chance was ruled offside.

Nigeria had the first sight of goal five minutes later when Precious Benjamin was hacked down for a free kick just outside the area, but the forward’s kick cleared the bar by inches.

Nigeria improved towards the end of the half, with Adamu Maigari heading straight into the hands of Yanis Benchaouch, Morocco goalkeeper, from a deep free kick before Emmanuel Chukwu failed to hit the target from another header.

The best chance of the half would fall to Benjamin, whose low shot towards the far post was pushed out for a corner kick to the frustration of the coaching crew.

The second half was feistier than the first, but Nigeria had better possession, were resolute in defence, and looked the likelier to score against a side that scored thrice in their first match.

However, poor decision-making in the final third denied the Flying Eagles the goal to claim all three points.

Nigeria are second in Group B with four points, the same as first-placed Morocco, who have scored more goals. Nigeria would face Kenya in their final group B match on Wednesday, May 7.