Double delight for Success Makanjuola as Flying Eagles wing-wizard celebrates win on his birthday


Flying Eagles forward Success Makanjuola enjoyed the perfect birthday present from his teammates on Friday as he celebrated turning 18 with Nigeria 4-0 win over Qatar in the 2019 FIFA U20 World Cup Group D fixture.

The Water FC forward has said before the game that he would be the happiest player in Poland if Nigeria win their first game at the World Cup on his birthday.

Effiong Maxwell opened scoring for Nigeria in the 12th minute, Henry Offia doubled the lead 12 minutes later as Nigeria U20 Boys took a 2-0 lead at half time. Nigeria came into the second half and continued from where they stopped, Ayotomiwa Dele-Bashiru increased the lead in the 68th minute while defender Aliu Salawudeen wrapped up the victory in an emphatic show with the fourth goal in the 75th minute. Ukraine defeated USA 2-1 in Group D second game, Nigeria sit top of Group D with a better goals difference.

Makanjuola was a second half substitute and he dazzled when he was introduced, took up responsibilities for set pieces and won fouls that gave his team advantage in the final third.

"I said before the game that the biggest birthday gift for me would be the three points, my teammates gave me the best birthday gift ever in my life. Not just the three points but scoring four goals was massive and the result has put us in a good shape as we continue to grow in the tournament," said Makanjuola.

"We have passed the first stage and we are happy we won, we are top of the Group but the journey to our target is still far. It will be a gradual process for us and we are concentrating on every details, yesterday's victory is in the past now for us, and the focus is our next game against USA. We'll be ready to seal our qualification to the next round in the next game.

"I'm excited, happy and delighted, the experience was huge on my birthday and the way my teammates responded to the situation when I was on the bench gives me joy. The strength of this team is unity and love we have for ourselves, for every goal scored the players celebrated with me, those moments makes this birthday and victory special to me."

Nigeria will face USA in the second game in Group D on Monday while Ukraine and Qatar will battle in the second fixture of the day.

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