Amuzie Wonder Goal Seals Win For Nigeria; Okonkwo Features For Charleston Battery

The Nigeria U23s made a winning start to their friendlies in the United States, beating Charleston Battery 1-0 on Sunday morning at Silverbacks Park.

The friendly match was scheduled to hold on Saturday evening local time but was called off due to a flooded pitch despite both teams agreeing to go ahead with the game.

Nigeria enjoyed more possession than their youthful opponents in the opening fifteen minutes and would have taken the lead in the 20th minute, but Tambakis parried a shot over the bar before saving another shot in the 29th minute.

But just four minutes later, Olhanense defender Stanley Amuzie scored what turned out to be the game-winner, firing home a beauty.

In first half injury time, the American team thought they had restored parity through Tsonis but his goal was disallowed by the referee.

The Samson Siasia-led side could have had more than their solitary strike in the second half but lost their scoring chances, including a free kick that rang off the near post three minutes out of intermission.

The highly-rated teenager Patrick Okonkwo entered into the fray for Charleston Batteryin the 66th minute and the striker fired blanks.

Next up for the Nigerians is another test game against Honduras on July 27 .

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : thenff.com