THE Nigeria U-20 squad on Sunday flew into Calabar, capital of Cross River State as the football –loving State returns to the front burner of international football action.
Coach Emmanuel Amuneke led a group of 25 players and three officials into Canaan City, as the Flying Eagles intensify preparations for weekend’s 2017 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations qualifying match against the Young Swallows of Burundi.
Calabar is hosting the return leg match this Saturday, which should be a soft session for the African champions, who pipped the Young Swallows 1-0 in Bujumbura two weeks ago.
Meanwhile, Chile 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup bronze ball winner Samuel Chukwueze has continued in fine form in friendly matches ahead of the clash, causing serious havoc to opposition defence –lines.
Just two days after his brace helped the Flying Eagles demolish Nigeria National League side, Shekarau Babes FC in
a friendly match played on the artificial pitch of the FIFA Goal Project in Abuja, the winger was again at his imperious best netting twice in the second half as the Emmanuel Amuneke tutored side saw off Amakson Football Academy 3-0 in another friendly match at the weekend at the same venue.
The galloping winger was at his usual slippery best all through the entertaining affair and received huge applause from the crowd, among them players of the National U-17 team currently in Abuja for a screening exercise supervised by team Coach Manu Garba.