Muazum's brace not enough to hand Flying Eagles victory in impressive draw in Rabat

The Young Atlas Lions of Morocco took it late to force an impressive Nigerian U20 team to a 2-2 draw in a friendly at the National Sports Centre in Rabat in a friendly on Wednesday.

The Flying Eagles twice led through Alhassan Ibrahim, aka Mu-azam, in the second half, before skipper Arjoune Omar drew the home team level in stoppage time.

Nigeria dominated the first half even after the hosts settled quicker than them.

After just four minutes Flying Eagles goalkeeper Emeka Nwabulu was forced to make a save off a free kick.

Ifeanyi Matthew then had several chances to put Nigeria in front but his shots either were too weak or missed target within the first 18 minutes.

Taiwo Awoniyi then rounded up the Morocco goalkeeper in the 14th minute but somehow the opposing defence cleared to safety.

Muazam’s effort was then cleared off the goal line in the 28th minute and five minutes later, the striker’s shot missed target by a whisker.

In first half stoppage time, Awoniyi blew away a glit-edged chance as the Flying Eagles bossed the game.

Abdullahi Alfa ought to have opened scoring for Nigeria five minutes after the break but he chose to sky his shot wide off target when he was left all alone with goalkeeper Majid Aymane.

Muazam finally broke the deadlock after 64 minutes with a gentle tap in from close range, but almost immediately Morocco drew level when skipper Wilfred Ndidi put a low cross into his own net.

Nwabulu made a big save for Nigeria in the 74th minute and then both Muazam and Matthew came close to regaining the Eagles lead.

Muazam then scored his brace in the 81st minute, before skipper Omar salvage a result for the Junior Lion Atlas in stoppage time with a near post header.

Discussions are on-going where the second game will be played on Friday more so because the Morocco football federation polls will be conducted in the coming week. The second of a two series friendly will kickoff by 11am Nigerian Time.

Flying Eagles starters: Nwabulu, Mustapha, Omego, Bello, Ndidi, Alfa, Jide, Matthew, Yahaya, Muazam, AwoniyI

Academica de Coimbra ace John Ogu has said he could still make the cut to the World Cup even though he has spent most of the season on the bench at his Portuguese club.
The big midfielder has gone through difficult times at his club with very limited play time, something the player agreed has now narrowed his chances of making the final squad to Brazil 2014.
But he also believes that with what he has shown in the Eagles, coach Keshi could still consider him for the World Cup.
“The situation at Academica is frustrating, but if Coach Stephen Keshi still believes in me, he will give me a chance to fight for a place at the World Cup place,” he told AfricanFoootball.com
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/04/ogu-still-hopeful-world-cup-place/#sthash.J245h5Lw.dpuf