NIGERIA U20 FLYING EAGLES FUMBLES, YET AGAIN

Nigeria's U-20 national team, the Flying Eagles on Thursday evening drew 1-1 with Ukraine in their last Group D game of the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland at the Bielsko-Biala stadium which sees them qualify as one of the four best teams of the group stages with 4 points. 

Coach Paul Aigbogun made some changes to his starting X1, bringing central defender Igoh Ogbu for Valentine Ozornwafor, Nnamdi Ofoborh for Jamil Muhammad and Success Makanjuola for Henry Offia.
Tijani Muhamed was favoured at the expense of Jerome Akor in attack.
The Flying Eagles were harried by the Ukrainians in the opening minutes who deployed a pressing game to deny them of any space and time on the ball.
Zilkifilu Rabiu's 8th minute cross shot almost deceived Ukrainian goalkeeper Andriy Lunin but somehow the Real Madrid goalkeeper plucked the ball.
Bournemouth's Ofoborh who had a good first half was on hand to clear a dangerous ball into the Nigerian box by Ihor Snurntsyn.

Ukrainian forward Danylo Sikan scored his team's goal in the 30th minute as he headed home a tantalising cross by Oleksil Kashchuk. 

In the 45th minute the Nigerian team were handed a penalty to restore parity. Tijani Muhamed's initial shot was blocked but he was then fouled by Aleksandr Safronov. The Nigerian striker's effort was tame and saved by the keeper.
Nigeria were awarded a penalty in the 51st minute after referee Diego Rapallini consulted VAR after Povpov stopped a goal-bound ball and Tijani made no mistake.
The striker scored from his effort to equalise.

Five minutes later Maxwell Effiom saw yellow for a foul on an Ukrainian player after the referee made a quick dash on the monitor as VAR showed there was an infringement.
Makanjuola's corner kick in the 76th minute was almost dipping into the Ukrainian net but Lunin tipped the ball over the bar for another corner this time delivered by Nnamdi Ofoborh.
Makanjuola who had suffered a cramp was replaced by Peter Eletu with three minutes to the end of the game.

The Flying Eagles' increased attacking verve did not yield another goal as both sides settled for a draw.

Nigeria booked their spot in the last 16 of the U20 World Cup courtesy of the draw. 

USA’s win over Qatar in the night's other Group D game means that Paul Aigbogun’s side finished third in the group and will take on either Senegal or Italy on Monday.

Asuzu Emmanuel