The Nigeria under seventeen team has started their campaign of the African Cup of Nations, AFCON U-17 championship on a winning note after edging Zambia U-17 on Sunday, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
Favour Daniel scored in the second half to give the Nigerian team the respite and the fine start needed in the competition at Stade Mohammed-Hamlaoui, Constantine.
The group B opener saw an Eaglet team that led proceedings at the beginning, scoring in the 13th minute, but the goal was disallowed for offside.
They continued to dictate the pace of the game as Precious Williams came close to scoring in the 39th minute, but missed.
The Zambians almost caused a scar after a shot rattled the cross bar four minutes to the end of the tie, as the score stayed 0-0 by the end of the first 45 minutes.
At the start of the other half, the Nigerian team continued on the ascendency like they did in the first half, piling the pressure.
The goal finally came in the 32nd minute of the second phase of the game as Favour Daniel pounced on a loose ball in the area to score for the Eaglets.
The West African team could have gone two goals up after a penalty was given by the centre referee at the end of the half, but Light Eke’s weak effort was saved by the goalie as the tie ended 1-0.
Golden Eaglets defender Yahaya Lawali scoops the Man of the Match award as Nigeria eked a hard earned 1-0 win over Zambia.
Uche Dozie