By Victor Kanayo
Nigeria barely survived the quick fire by Columbia, in a friendly match ahead of 2023 FIFA U20 World Cup which ended 3-3 on Tuesday night.
The test game at the Estadio 20 October in Tristán Suárez, Buenos Aire, happened four days to the kick-off of this tournament in Argentina.
How Both Countries Produced Goals
Colombia went ahead in the tie after 26 minutes when central defender Abel Ogwuche put the ball past his own goalkeeper Chijioke Aniagboso.
The seven-time African champions levelled up in the 44th minute when winger Jude Sunday fired a scorching shot from outside the box, but the South Americans were soon back in the lead before half-time after they converted from the penalty spot.
The Colombians, who play in Group C of the tournament against African champions Senegal, Japan and Israel, increased the tally in the 73rd minute to leave the Flying Eagles panting.
But winger Ibrahim Mohammed pulled one back just four minutes later, and Emmanuel Umeh, one of the scorers in the 3-2 defeat of Argentine second division team Almirante Brown on Friday evening, evened things up in the 89th minute.
Speaking thereafter, Nigeria Head Coach Isah Ladan Bosso said, “We are focused on the big challenge ahead, which is to put up a creditable performance that will match the pedigree of our country at this championship. Our ultimate target is to have a good campaign and with this result, we will be very ready for our first match against the Dominican Republic on Sunday.”
The match against Colombia drew the curtain on the Flying Eagles’ activities in Buenos Aires.
They will now fly into Mendoza on Wednesday afternoon ahead of their first game against the Dominican Republic on Sunday.
Their second match against Italy on Wednesday next week, will also take place in Mendoza.
