*Eaglets hold Germany 3-3

Nigerians were so disappointed that half time many of them started leaving the stadium.

Their team were already 2-0 down courtesy of superb goals from Lennart Thy and Shkodran Mustafi.

Germany had easily led in the opening match of the 14th edition of FIFA Under-17 World Cup.

The Golden Eaglet

It was easily turning a nightmare for Nigeria whose organisation of the world championship has so far fallen short of
world standard.

On the first day of such a world event, the stadium was scanty. The atmosphere lacked colour. A good game by the Eaglets was expected to lift Nigerians. That didn’t happen in the early minutes as Germany scored two goals in the 21st and 39th minutes. Nigerians started cheering the Germans. Those who couldn’t do that simply started leaving the stadium.

On resumption of the second half, Mario Gotze made it 3-0 and Germany missed a close one that would have made it 4-0. Many lost hope. But it is said that it is never over until it is over in football. The game changed when Robert Labus earned a red card for harsh tackle on a Nigerian attacker.

The resultant penalty was scored by Stanley Okoro, the Heartland player who is a known name in the Nigerian team. That turned some tonic to the Nigerians especially as Germany tried to be more defensive. It naturally put them under pressure.

Nigeria brilliantly turned it an advantage as Kenneth Omeruo reduced the tally to 3-2 in the 59th minute and Edafe Egbedi levelled up in the 61st minute.

That brought life to an already dead stadium. Egbedi danced in celebration, urging his teammates to seize the situation. They almost did, hitting the bar five minutes to full time.

Those who left before this time would  regret missing the three goals the Nigerians scored to earn a point in a match that looked totally out of their hands.