By Frank Ulom
Goalkeeper Clinton Ezekiel was left out of the Nigeria squad as the Flying Eagles lost 2-1 to Uganda in the opener of the 13th African Games taking place in Ghana.
Ezekiel who has kept several clean sheets for his club, Rovers FC of Calabar, was not named in the match squad by the Flying Eagles head coach, Isah Bosso
The opening Group B match was played on 7 March 2024, at the Accra Sports Stadium in Ghana.
The Flying Eagles were punished by a late goal from Ivan Irinimbabazi to give Uganda a perfect start.
Usama Arafat opened the scoring for Uganda in the 33rd minute, as he raced towards the Flying Eagles’ goal area and slotted past the goalkeeper.
The Flying Eagles equalised in the 37th minute, thanks to Sadiq Isiyaka, who headed home from a corner kick.
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The game was put beyond reach in the 81st minute when Irinimbabazi hit a low shot from the outside of the box which beat the Nigerian shot-stopper, Samuel James.
The other game ended 1-0 as Senegal defeated South Sudan.
Nigeria will face South Sudan at 8pm while Uganda will place Senegal at 5pm, in their second Group B match on 11 March 2024.
The Nigerian Flying Eagles must win their next two matches or at least get 4 points in other to qualify for the next phase.
Below is the starting XI that played against Uganda
Below is the Group B standing after the opener
