FLYING Eagles head coach Ladan Bosso has commended his team for holding Colombia to a 3-3 draw last night in a tune-up game for the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
The Nigerian side had to come from two goals down to secure the draw in their last friendly in Buenos Aires, Argentina before Saturday’s kick-off of the World Cup.
Colombia took the lead in the 26th minute through an Abel Ogwuche own goal but the Flying Eagles were back level one minute to half-time when Jude Sunday fired home from outside the box.
The South Americans, who will play African champions Senegal, Japan and Israel in Group C at the World Cup, regained their lead in first-half added time and extended it in the 73rd minute.
Facing the prospects of a demoralising defeat just five days to their opening Group D clash against Dominican Republic, Nigeria fought back to earn a draw.
Ibrahim Mohammed pulled one back just four minutes after Colombia’s third goal and Emmanuel Umeh struck one minute from time to level the score.
Bosso, who led the Flying Eagles to a fourth-place finish at the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations in March, praised the Nigeria Football Federation for securing the friendly with Colombia and expressed satisfaction with the outcome.
“We thank the NFF leadership for organising such a good test for the team. I am happy with the result,” said Bosso, who was also in charge when the Flying Eagles reached the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2007.
“This will bolster the team mentally and psychologically for the World Cup starting in a few days. The match has provided us with a stiff test and has also strengthened us for the big task ahead.
“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 other teams in Nigeria’s group are Brazil and Italy.
