2014 U17 Euro winner Egbo scores first goal in Colchester United colours in win against Arsenal

London-born Nigerian defender Mandela Egbo netted his first goal in Colchester United colours as The U's defeated Arsenal 3-0 in a  Bristol Street Motors Trophy clash at JobServe Community Stadium in Essex on Tuesday night. 

Egbo was one of the players of Nigerian heritage who contributed to England's victory in the 2014 European U17 Championship, a squad that included Tottenham Hotspur's Dominic Solanke and Blackpool's Josh Onomah.

Against an Arsenal U21 team featuring goalkeeper Brian Okonkwo and forward Nathan Butler-Oyedeji, Colchester United broke the deadlock through Tom Hopper who tapped the ball into the net after he was picked out by Oscar Thorn.

Butler-Oyedeji had a chance to equalize for the Gunners at minute 35 but Tom Smith saved his shot.

The home team were two goals up at the interval thanks to Harry Anderson who fired low into the corner. 

Four minutes into the second half, Egbo found himself with plenty of space to push forward and curled a shot with the outside of his boot straight into the corner to give Colchester United an unassailable 3-0 lead.

Signed from Charlton Athletic in the summer of 2023, Egbo played in 49 games across all competitions, logging 3,419 minutes before opening his goalscoring account for the League Two club.

With the outcome of the game all but decided, Egbo made way for Rashaad Drysdale in the 82nd minute.

With Leyton Orient defeating MK Dons 2-1, Arsenal finished third in Group M of the Bristol Street Motors Trophy, resulting in their exit from the competition.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: cu-fc.com

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