Nigeria’s Flying Eagles will look to bounce back from their opening setback when they face Saudi Arabia in their second Group F fixture at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile on Thursday.
Aliyu Zubair’s men began their campaign with a 1-0 defeat to Norway, a game where they dominated possession but failed to convert their chances. Two strong penalty appeals were waved away, leaving the team frustrated and under early pressure in the tournament.
Nigeria, runners-up at the U-20 World Cup in 1989 and 2005, had set their sights on a bright start to ease progression into the knockout rounds. Instead, they now face a must-win clash against the Saudis. A loss would seriously dent their qualification hopes ahead of Sunday’s decisive showdown with Colombia.
Victory, however, could put the Flying Eagles back on track and into a strong position to reach the Round of 16, a stage they’ve consistently achieved in their last three appearances.
Coach Zubair, who recently led the side to third place at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, remains upbeat. With all key players fit, he is expected to retain his 4-3-3 system but may tweak his attacking options after the forwards struggled to finish against Norway. Much will hinge on the creativity of midfielder Daniel Daga and the finishing of Kparobo Arierhi, Charles Agada, and Samson Lawal.
At the back, discipline will be vital. Daga, Agada, and Israel Ayuma are all one booking away from suspension, meaning any further cautions could see them miss the Colombia clash.
Saudi Arabia, who earned a valuable point against Colombia in their opener, will pose a stern challenge. Their physical approach, defensive organisation, and threat on the counter could make it a tricky evening for Nigeria’s attackers if they fail to stay composed in front of goal.
With the U-17 team already missing out on future international competitions after their WAFU B exit, the Flying Eagles’ clash with Saudi Arabia carries extra weight. It is not only decisive for their campaign in Chile but also a test of whether this new generation of Nigerian footballers can live up to the nation’s rich tradition at youth level.
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