Nigeria got their FIFA U-20 World Cup back on track as they recovered
from their opening defeat to Portugal to cruise past Cuba 3-0 in
Kayseri.
A first-half double from Animu Umar, followed by captain Abdul Ajagun
getting his third of the tournament, allowing the west African sideto
reassert their knock-out stage aspirations, in what was the pairs
first meeting at any level of international football.
The Flying Eagles were unable to break down the Cuban's early on, with
Chidi Osuchukwu's speculative free-kick the closest they came.
Nigeria's man of the moment Ajagun almost opened the scoring with a
superb lob, from the right of the penalty area while running at full
pace, but Sandy Sanchez was relieved to see it land on the roof of the
net.
Seconds later they were ahead. Ajagun fed Olarenwaju Kayode down the
left wing, who got clear of the defence, before squaring to Umar to
score what is likely to be one of the simplest goals of his career.
Umar had another four minutes later, which had a touch more flair to
it. Osuchukwu's deepcorner eventually found Abdullahi Shehu, who
drilled a cross that Umar flicked between his legs and into the bottom
corner. Olaitan Michael almost made it three with a superb
right-footed effort that cannoned off the outside of the post.
Nigeria was in full control, and that continued into the second
period, Kayode breaking beyond the back line and firing wide across
goal. He charged forward in similar style moments later, but in
choosing to square to Ajagun, Abel Martinez was able to clear.
Ajagun did get his goal though, with 67 minutes on the clock. Kingsley
Madu's cross deceived Sanchez and Ajagun stooped to headhome, seeing
him become the top-scorer so far. Ajagun missed the chance to double
his tally for the day late on, missing from the penalty spot after
Martinez upended Kayode in the area.
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