Nigeria’s Future Eagles continued their unbeaten run at the FIFA U15 World Cup and Festival with a stunning 7-0 win over New Caledonia at the Hovsan Competition Complex in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Timothy Ijachi scored a hat-trick, AbdulRazaq Muhammad netted twice, while Wisdom Oche and Salu also found the target as Nigeria secured a place in the Round of 16.
The win followed an impressive group-stage campaign in which the Nigerian youngsters finished second with seven points, maintaining their hopes of progressing further in the tournament.
Ijachi leads Nigeria’s scoring spree
Oche opened the scoring in the early minutes before Ijachi took centre stage with two goals in quick succession.
The forward struck in the 12th minute with a well-taken finish before doubling his tally four minutes later to put Nigeria firmly in control.
Muhammad added the fourth goal in the 21st minute, further extending the Future Eagles’ advantage as they continued to dominate their opponents.
Ijachi completed his hat-trick in the 35th minute, capping an impressive individual performance and strengthening Nigeria’s grip on the contest.
Muhammad then registered his second goal four minutes later, giving the Nigerian side a commanding lead before the break.
Salu completed the scoring in the closing minutes, sealing a seven-goal victory for the Future Eagles.
Future Eagles set up Benin encounter
The emphatic result sends Nigeria into the Round of 16, where they will face the Republic of Benin as they seek to continue their progress in the competition.
The Future Eagles have now gone six matches without defeat since the start of the tournament, recording two wins and four draws.