Still basking in the euphoria of their 2-0 defeat of their hosts, Young Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire in an international friendly on Wednesday, the Flying Eagles will take on the same opponents in the last of their two-game schedule at the same Stade Félix Houphouët Boigny, today.

The international friendlies are part of both teams’ preparations for this year’s African U-20 Cup of Nations holding from April 26 to May 18. Tournament hosts, Cote d’Ivoire have been drawn in Group A of the biennial championship, alongside DR Congo, Ghana, Tanzania and the second flag-bearers of central Africa, while the Flying Eagles will battle it out with Egypt, South Africa and Morocco in a potentially-flammable Group B.

The semifinalists in the African Youth Championship will qualify to represent the continent at the FIFA U-20 World Cup scheduled for Chile, from September 27 to October 19, 2025.

When the teams met on Wednesday, Captain Daniel Bameyi made good from the spot three minutes after the hour mark, converting from six yards after an infringement on darting forward Divine Oliseh.

The seven-time African champions dominated from kick-off and the hosts were fortunate to go into recess still on level terms with their visitors. However, the Flying Eagles, two-time FIFA World Cup silver medallists, were determined to put some gloss on the scoreline and Oliseh did just that with 10 minutes left.

https://guardian.ng/sport/flying-eagles-tackle-young-elephants-in-international-friendly/