VICTORIA — Nigeria remained perfect at the FIFA U-20 World Cup, thanks in part to a halftime pep talk from its manager.
Nigerian captain Ezekiel Bala scored both goals in a deserved 2-0 win over Scotland Wednesday.
Nigeria (2-0-0) is now tied with Japan atop Group F with six points. The teams play each other in their final group games Saturday.
After an early spell of possession, the Scots (0-2-0) rarely troubled Nigerian keeper Thomas Olufemi, who was filling in for the injured Moses Ocheje. The Scots spent most of the game on the defensive and could not build from the back.
Nigerian captain Ezekiel Bala celebrates his second goal against Scotland. (Elaine Thompson/CP)
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Nigerian striker Brown Ideye was able to shake off his defenders in the 36th minute and unleashed a shot from 25 yards out that forced Scottish keeper Andrew McNeil to dive to his right and push the ball out for a corner. This proved to be the best chance the 10,400 fans in Victoria would see in the first half.
Nigeria was finally rewarded for all their possession in the 49th minute. The ball was crossed into the box and fell to Bala. The member of Norwegian club FC Lyn slammed the ball into the net from eight yards out.
Nigerian manager Ladan Bosso said that the goal came from the players listening to their coach at halftime.
"We knew the boys were not playing well (early)," Bosson said. "The players started listening which changed the game for good."
Bala scored a second goal in the 78th minute. Akeem Latifu took a shot from just outside the 18-yard box that McNeil deflected onto the head of Bala, who made no mistake in scoring Nigeria's second goal.
"Nigeria are a very good team and I think they could go far in the tournament," said Scotland manager Archie Gemmel.
Scotland had a number of very good chances to score in the last 10 minutes but was unable to put the ball away. Callum Elliot fired from close range but Nigerian keeper Olufemi made a terrific finger-tip save to deny him.
The Nigerians will be without defender Efe Ambrose after he was red carded after a second yellow card offence. The Scots will be without Jamie Adams in their important game against Costa Rica after he received his second yellow card of the tournament in the first half.
