THE Flying Eagles of Nigeria began their African Games campaign on a sour note tonight, losing 2-1 to Uganda in Accra, Ghana.
Ladan Bosso’s side went behind, but fought back only to succumb at the end of the men’s football event Group B encounter.
The Junior Cranes of Uganda showed their intentions early, taking the lead in the 10th minute through Kiza Arafat Usama.
The Flying Eagles, who reached the quarter-finals of the last FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina in 2023, were back level seven minutes before half-time, Sadiq Isiyaka netting the equaliser.
Uganda were not discouraged by Nigeria’s equaliser though as the East Africans struck again through Ivan Irinimabozi with nine minutes left on the clock.
Next up for the Flying Eagles are Senegal on Monday at the Accra Sports Stadium, where they were beaten tonight.
Nigeria won men’s football silver at the last African Games in Rabat, Morocco in 2019, but the last time the country won gold in the event was on home soil in 1973.
