Twice the Nigeria team went behind and twice they came back before running away with three goals in eight minutes to clinch a 4-2 win over Hungary in their opening match of the 2019 FIFA U17 World Cup but it may have ended differently if a young talent had not been introduced.
The Golden Eaglets on Saturday night staged a dramatic comeback to defeat Hungary 4-2 in their first Group B fixture at the 2019 Fifa U17 World Cup.
Samson Tijani’s brace and lone efforts from Usman Ibrahim and Oluwatimilehin Adeniyi secured maximum points for the African country at Estadio Olimpico in Goiania after the Hungarians had led through an early goal from Gyorgy Komaromi and again through Samuel Major.
Akinkunmi Amoo from Nigeria is a superb talent. Quick, good technique, strong, low CG, would cause a lot of problems.
Wisdom Ubani too, top scored at AU17C https://t.co/i2A1xIbwTh— Tosin Holmes (@PowerfulFJ) October 23, 2019
With the Africans staring defeat in the face, Akinkunmi Amoo was thrown into the fray in the 58th minute for Monsuru Opeyemi and his introduction boosted Nigeria’s push for a leveller.
Less than ten minutes later, the Golden Eaglets had turned the tie on its head from 1-2 down to 4-2 up.
Although Akinkunmi Amoo was not among the goalscorers but his trickery on the ball and movement off it had created openings and chances for others from which the late goals came.
Fans of the five-time world champions observed that and took to social media site Twitter to applaud the Sidos Academy wonderkid, otherwise known as Little Messi.
Tweeted this when Amoo came on and Eaglets scored three after. https://t.co/YTivHgvf9s
— Adepoju Tobi Samuel 🇳🇬 (@OgaNlaMedia) October 26, 2019
My bad. His name is Akinkunmi Adebayo Amoo* No. 13
— ❤💙Rock™ (@staconzy16) October 26, 2019
That Amoo guy should be transferred to the super eagles from there
— Dwiz (@jocular_solo) October 26, 2019
That Amoo is a joy to watch. Full of energy and a lot of skills.
Congratulations Eaglets.
— BOLAJI (@darmmie4luv) October 26, 2019
@aremulateef1 na your area boy be Akinkunmi Amoo? He is the match of the match against Hungary.
— ERÚ Ñ DÚPÉ (@RajiDraj) October 26, 2019
This is one set of Nigerian Golden eaglets that looked genuinely like their real age.
That Amoo is a 🌟. Only injury can derail him. His pace, vision and exquisite dribbling skill stands out form me. #FIFAU17WC #NGAHUN pic.twitter.com/0nenP0mYUv— Stone SZN ⬆️ (@StoneySZN) October 26, 2019
Good morning and welcome to the world of Akinkunmi Amoo #SoarGoldenEaglets pic.twitter.com/sf6fCIaB3Z
— Kola O. (@iamkoolkola) October 27, 2019
Eaglet of the match – Samson Tijani. Marshalled the midfield. Sat deep and kept our play out of the back tidy.
The X-Factor- Akinkunmi Amoo. Lad will become huge if he keeps this up. In all, fine performances all round. Garba should make tactical adjustments in defence.— David C.O.L. Michael (@07SuperNerd) October 27, 2019
They have one…. His name is Akinkunmi Amoo… The no.13
— David C.O.L. Michael (@07SuperNerd) October 26, 2019
https://www.twitter.com/NielAkins/status/1188215513526276098
Akinkunmi Amoo(13) is really good. #FIFAU17WC
— Ernest🌹 (@u_rnest) October 26, 2019
https://www.twitter.com/iamkoolkola/status/1188207548320665601
https://www.twitter.com/numbers_super/status/1188228890952699906
https://www.twitter.com/CubanaIgwe/status/1188228272678678528
As much as I love to praise the Eaglets tonight, I won't but mention some lapses I noticed during the course of this match. We possess the ball too much, too much aimless shots off target. Amoo changed the face of the game despite playing as a substitute and as a winger.
— Adenrele Babatunde (@blastedup) October 26, 2019
Our boys really done well thank