The Flying Eagles began their 2023 African Games campaign in Accra on a losing note with a 2-1 Group B loss to Uganda on Thursday night.
The Nigerian U-20 team won silver at the pervious African Games in Rabat in 2019 when they lost 2-0 to Burkina Faso.
Their hopes of a second-ever gold medal and a first in 51 years did not start as fans would have liked when they went behind to Arafat Usama’s strike in the 34th minute.
Ladan Bosso’s men were however able to level matters three minutes later thanks to Sadiq Isiyaka.
The scores remained 1-1 until the 81st minute when Ivan Irinimbabazi scored the winner. The Ugandan Hippos held their nerve for the remaining nine minutes plus additional five minutes for a massive win that could help their qualification chances.
Not the result we wanted.
We go again in our next game.#GoForGold #AfricanGames2023 pic.twitter.com/VgUZv8i1yw
— The NFF ???????? (@thenff) March 7, 2024
The Flying Eagles will have to make amends when they tackle African Games debutants South Sudan next Monday.
