FIFA U-17 World Cup: Spectacular Ibrahim Sai'd Helps Erratic Golden Eaglets Overcome Ecuador, Book Place in Round of 16

Golden Eaglets book a place in the knock-out of the on-going FIFA U-17 World Cup in Brazil after a dramatic 3-2 victory over a very organized Ecuador.

With both Nigeria and Ecuador winning their opening games against Hungary and Australia respectively, a win for either of the sides will definitely secure qualification to the round of 16.

Nigeria get off a bright start when Ibrahim Sai'd profited from a comical error from Goalkeeper and captain Joan Lopez to give Nigeria the lead with just five minutes on the clock.
Ecuador responded in the 10th minute when Adrian Mejia fired a powerful shot that bounce off the base of the post and rebounded off the fully -stretched Daniel Jinadu into the net.

The South Americans got their confidence and raised their game and we're rewarded handsomely after a Video Assistant Referee review found Charles Etim guilty of a foul on an Ecuadorian attacker in the 55th minute. Hungry Johan Mina sends Jinadu the wrong way from 12yards to put his side in front for the first time in the encounter.

Nigeria who are the most successful U-17 side in the world by record took the game to Ecuador as Ibrahim Sai'd equalize from range with five minutes of regulations left and it was Sai'd again that bagged the winner in the 89th minute after a neat interchange of passes by Samson Tijani and Akinkunmi Amoo to release Sai'd and the Dabo Babes Academy star delivered with a great hit from just outside the 18 yard area.

Nigeria will face Australia in their last group B game while Ecuador will meet Hungary.

By Olamide Oyetunji