2015 Under-17s top scorer, Victor Osimhen scored a stunner four minutes from time to help the Flying Eagles of Nigeria to a 2-1 comeback win against Sudan in the first leg of the final round of qualifiers for next month Africa Youth Championship.
The game started with the Nigerians having the first real effort at goal in the 22 minutes when Gavi Thompson went past his man but his fierce effort was well saved by the Sudanese goalkepper.
Two minutes after that miss from Thompson, top striker Victor Osimhen went close with two chances in two minutes, first with a point blank header saved by the Sudanese shot stopper and another which came off the upright.
The double miss by Osimhen proved costly for the Emmanuel Amuneke lead lads when top striker for Sudan Mohammed who has been menacing all night long gave them the lead in the 27th minute and almost doubled the Sudanese lead minute before the half time break.
Sudan returned from the break turbo charged and kept on pushing for another goal but one substitution from coach Amuneke turned the game on it’s head and lead to the equaliser for the Nigerians.
Orji Okonkwo was replaced by his childhood friend Kingsley Michael, who immediately provided a clinical pass for Porto bound Samuel Chukwueze to finish smartly and draw the Nigerians level in the 67 minutes.
Kingsley helped the Nigerian team in keeping possession in the middle, dribbling past his opponents with ease and bringing his teammates into play as he started off the move which lead to Osimhen putting Chukwueze through on goal for the former Arsenal target failed to put the Nigerians ahead for the first time in the game with 18 minutes left to play.
Four minutes from the end of the tie when it seems like both teams will see off the game as a draw Wolfsburg bound Osimhen popped up with a stunner to give Nigeria a 2-1 lead and almost made it three for the Nigerians but his effort was well saved by the Sudanese goalkepper.
However his strike was enough to snatch victory for the Flying Eagles of Nigeria ahead of the return leg in Lagos.
