Guinea Bissau 2 Nigeria U20 2 : Wasiu Alalade Brace Adds to Growing Reputation

Published: May 12, 2018

Nigeria's Flying Eagles squandered a dominant position as Guinea Bissau U20 team recovered from two goals down to draw 2-2 and give themselves hope in the first leg 2019 Africa U20 Cup of Nations second round qualifying fixture on Saturday.

A brace from Wasiu Alalade had put Paul Aigbogun's side into a commanding position at the September 24 Stadium on Saturday but second half strikes from the hosts restored parity in a game that had started to look like it was slipping out of their grasp.

The Flying Eagles made much of the early running and it was little surprise when they took the lead in the 15th minute through the clinical Alalade.

And the visitors' control of the tie looked to be absolute as Alalade scored a brace to put Nigeria 2-0 up.

But Guinea Bissau are a quality outfit and weren't willing to go down without a fight.

They pulled back into the game and reduced the deficit in the 54th minute. Guinea Bissau leveled up matters three minutes after the hour.

Two away goals for Nigeria gives them the edge in the tie, but Guinea Bissau will take great encouragement from their second half showing – particularly the extent to which their forward line was able to rattle the Flying Eagles defence.

It's all to play for in the second leg.

Abayomi Ademetan

Photo Credit : thenff.com