Despite taking a 3rd-minute lead in an Under 17 World Cup campaign, Hungary has ended up suffering a 4-2 defeat to Nigeria.
It was in the opening game of the U17 world cup in Brazil Saturday evening, where in the second game, hosts thrashed Canada 4-1.
There was a long play in the Nigeria-Hungary game before Captain Samson Tijani replied from the spot in the 20th minute, only for Hungary to score again in the 28th.
That latest goal came through the boats of Sámuel Major who curled the ball from outside the box.
By the time the referee from Peru blew his whistle for halftime, reports Vanguard, Nigeria was already showing intent, leaving spectators salivating for what the second half would hold, and it didn’t disappoint.
It was looking like Nigeria will open the competition with a loss until the introduction of Akinkunmi Amoo whose pace and energy kept the Hungarian defence on its toes till the end of the game.
Mohammed Ibrahim started the comeback in the 79th minute, converting from an Ibrahim Sa’id corner.
Nigerians didn’t have to wait for too long too to celebrate a third from another header as Oluwatimilehin Adeniyi sneaked in to put the ball beyond a helpless Krisztián Hegyi in goal for Hungary.
The icing on the cake came in the 86th from a Samson Tijani free-kick.
A deflection left Hungary’s Hegyi helpless one more time as Nigeria ran out 4-2 victors.
Manu Garba’s Golden Eaglets will head into the next game against Ecuador on Tuesday.
Its last group game would be against Australia on Friday.
Nigeria is the record winner of the competition having won it on five occasions, the last being in 2015.
Nigeria also holds the record of being one of the only two countries to have won the competition back-to-back (2013 and 2015).
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