Inspire Sports Academy of Lagos youngsters, Jimoh Farouq and Anthony Ezekiel shone like stars as they came off the bench to propel and inspire the national U20 team, Flying Eagles to a valuable 2-0 away win against Young Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire in the first of two international friendly match involving both countries which was played in Abidjan on Wednesday.
The first 45 minutes of the encounter ended in a stalemate 0-0 until the introduction of both players by coach Aliyu Zubairu which livened up things in the attack, culminating in a defence splitting pass by Babatunde Jimoh Faruq to assist Divine Oliseh who was also fouled in the box for the resultant penalty that gave them the first goal, for the second goal.
With this eye – catching performance, both players no doubt justified their inclusion in the 21- man squad named by coach Aliyu Zubairu Yusuf for the international friendly.
In reaction to the youngsters performance, Francis Oggete, Head of Inspire Sports Academy, expressed confidence in the boys and in their ability to represent Inspire and Nigeria well.
“Farouq and Ezekiel are top talents who will be good ambassadors of the club and Nigeria.
“I have no doubt in their ability to do well as they have all that it takes”, he noted.
The seven-time African champions dominated the entire game but fluffed away many begging opportunities that ensured the scoreline remained respectable for the first leg.
Both teams will file out again on Friday at the same venue in readiness for the 2025 U20 African Cup of Nations, (U20 AFCON) scheduled to commence in Cote d’Ivoire in two months time, from April 26 – May 18, 2025.
The Nigerian team have been drawn in group B alongside Egypt, South Africa and Morocco in what is tagged “Group of Death” as the team aim to pick one of the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup tickets available for Africa representatives in the competition.
While tournament hosts, Cote d’Ivoire were drawn in group A of the biennial championship, alongside DR Congo, Ghana, Tanzania and the second flag-bearers of central Africa.
