Nigeria’s Future Eagles have finally recorded their first win at the inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival in Baku, Azerbaijan, after beating Cyprus 2-1 on Monday morning to end a three-game winless run.
The Future Eagles had endured a frustrating start in Group AD, drawing all three opening matches — 3-3 against South Sudan, 2-2 against Jordan, and 3-3 against The Gambia — to sit on three points with eight goals scored and eight conceded.
Against Cyprus at the Hovsan Competition Complex, the Future Eagles had to come from behind again.
Cyprus took the lead in the 12th minute through Georgios Christodoulou, but Wisdom Oche levelled in the 17th minute before defender Timothy Ijach struck what proved to be the winner in the 26th minute to make it 2-1.
Also Read: FIFA U-15 W/Cup & Festival: Future Eagles Record Third Straight Draw After 3-3 Thriller With Gambia
The Future will be back later today (Monday) for their final group game against Pakistan at 3:15pm.
The tournament is being played in an innovative eight-a-side format, with matches consisting of two 20-minute halves. It is FIFA’s largest-ever youth tournament with 189 member associations taking part from October 22-31.
Group results will determine which tier each country progresses to in the second phase on October 28 and 29, with tier finals on October 30.
By James Agberebi
