The Nigeria Under-17 football team, the Golden Eaglets produced a masterclass of attacking football in Dubai to beat a well- drilled Sweden side 3-0 on Tuesday.
.
Sweden had the first chance in the first minute of the game when Elias Andersson burst through the right with great pace but his deflected cross was hooked wide by Valmir Berisha to send the Nigerian nerves jangling early on.
.
Berisha had scored twice against Nigeria in the group stages.
.
Three minutes later, Nigeria had a chance to respond after some lax Swedish defending freed Musa Yahaya in the penalty area but the youngster hesitated a split second too late and the chance was gone.
.
Seconds later, Taiwo Awoniyi had a chance to make amends but his shot lacked power.
.
The Nigerians were struggling to get into their stride as the well-organized Europeans marked well and denied the Africans of space for their highly skilful. individuals to play their usual expansive game.
.
As a result, the Golden Eaglets were restricted to long range shooting and one of such from Yahaya in the 11th minute merely warmed the palms of the Sweden goalkeeper, Sixten Mohlin.
.
It was quite cagey in the opening minutes as the Swedes looked to catch Nigeria on the break and almost managed to do so in the 14th minute when an unmarked Linus Wahlqvist placed a header wide off a pinpoint cross with just the Nigerian goalkeeper, Dele Alampasu at his mercy.
The Golden Eaglets are doing very well in the competition so far and i hope they crown their efforts on Friday.