Golden Eaglets qualify for second round of Fifa U17 World Cup with 3-2 win over Ecuador

NIGERIA'S Golden Eaglets have qualified for the second round of the ongoing U17 World Cup in Brazil after their won their second group match this evening coming from behind to beat Ecuador 3-2 at the Estádio Olímpico in Goiania.

Aiming to lift the trophy for a record sixth time, the Eaglets arrived in Brazil as one of the firm favourites and on Saturday got their campaign underway with a hard-fought 4-2 victory over Hungary. As happened over the weekend, the eaglets had to come from behind again today, scoring two late goals in the second half to clinch all three points.

With two victories in as many games, the Eaglets are now certain to go through to the next round with it looking like Nigeria will end up topping Group B. In the next round the eaglets will most likely face the runners-up in Group F, which could be either one of Italy, Mexico, Paraguay of the Solomon Islands.

Tonight, the Eaglets produced a new star in Ibrahim Said, who scored a hat trick in the 5th, 85th and 89th minutes to secure victory. This happened after Nigeria went behind in the 56st minute when the Ecuadorians converted a penalty after goalkeeper Dele Jinadu had scored an own goal in the 10th minute to bring the scores level.

As happened on Saturday, the Eaglets ended up wearing down their opponents and using their sheer pace and power to overwhelm them in the dying minutes of the game. Nigeria was also sloppy at the back, making several teenage errors to gift the opponents two goals, which were both avoidable.

In the other game which took place this evening, Angola also secured their second win of the tournament, beating Canada 2-1 in Group A, thanks to an injury time goal. Later on tonight, Hungary will face Australia in Group A, while Brazil will face New Zealand in Group B.