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Tag: FIFA U20 World Cup

  • FIFA U20 World Cup: Nigeria, Argentina battle for quarter-final  ticket in  Santiago

    FIFA U20 World Cup: Nigeria, Argentina battle for quarter-final  ticket in  Santiago

    Nigeria and Argentina will, once again, set the global football stage alight as the Round of 16 of this year’s FIFA U20 World Cup finals commence in Chile  this evening.

    Both countries have fought memorable battles in the FIFA World Cup finals, FIFA U20 World Cup finals and at the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament, but the most recent remains Nigeria’s spectacular 2-0 defeat of the Albiceleste in a Round of 16 encounter when Argentina hosted the FIFA U20 World Cup finals two years ago.

    Ibrahim Muhammad and Haliru Sarki got the goals that stunned the hosts and upturned the prediction of most pundits, with the Flying Eagles marching ahead to the quarter-finals where they lost in extra time to the Republic of Korea.

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    Two decades ago, the Flying Eagles narrowly lost 1-2 to the Argies in the FIFA U20 World Cup Final in The Netherlands, both Argentine goals coming through penalty kicks converted by Lionel Messi, while Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi scored a brilliant goal for Nigeria.

    Argentina have won the FIFA U20 World Cup six times, while Nigeria have finished with the silver medals twice (1989 and 2005) and the bronze once (1985), but there will be no inferiority complex on the part of the seven-time African champions when they take the pitch of the Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos in Santiago from 8.30pm Nigerian time tonight.

    Self-belief, sense of purpose and pride, and resilience got the wards of Aliyu Zubair through the group stage, with four points off Saudi Arabia and Colombia, and the Colombians are unlikely to forget how the West Africans dominated a game they (Colombia) were tipped to easily win.

    Thrice, the Flying Eagles struck the bar in the encounter at the Estadio Fiscal de Talca, and earned a deserved point at the end when captain Daniel Bameyi coolly converted a penalty kick conceded in desperation by the South Americans as the tireless Nigerian attack went on the rampage once more.

    Coach Zubair must pick a new man to team up with Tahir Maigana and Kparobo Arierhi in the fore, with Suleman Sani suspended after accumulating two yellow cards in the group stage.

    The Flying Eagles arrived in Santiago from Talca on Monday evening, and will conduct a training session on Tuesday evening ahead of the clash with the Argies.

  • FIFA U20 World Cup: Flying Eagles to know foes as  Santiago hosts draw

    FIFA U20 World Cup: Flying Eagles to know foes as  Santiago hosts draw

    The draw ceremony for this year’s FIFA U20 World Cup finals will take place in Santiago, the capital city of Chile, on Thursday, with the event scheduled for Chilevision’s Machasa studios from 6pm Chile time (1pm Nigeria time).

    Chilean journalist Javiera Naranjo will host the event. FIFA’s Director of Tournaments, Jaime Yarza will conduct the draw, to be assisted by former Argentine FIFA U20 World Cup winner and 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cup star Juan Pablo Sorin.

    Nigeria is one of the four countries to fly Africa’s flag, with African U20 champions South Africa, Morocco and Egypt the others. All 24 participating nations are now known, with New Caledonia the only country that will debut at the tournament scheduled for 27th  September – 19th  October.

    Defending champions Uruguay, who beat Italy 1-0 in the 2023 final in Buenos Aires, failed to qualify. Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and Paraguay are flying South America’s flag this time.

    Argentina, 2023 hosts, have won the competition six times, though are without a trophy in the past 18 years. Brazil have won it five times.

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    The mention of ‘Chile’ evokes warm memories amongst Nigerians, as they remember that it was in that country, 10 years ago, that Super Eagles’ ace Victor Osimhen announced himself to the world, winning the Golden Boot for the top scorer with an awesome 10 goals and the Silver Ball for second best player as Nigeria won her fifth FIFA U17 World Cup title.

    Chile has hosted other major tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup finals (in 1962), the 1987 FIFA World Youth Championship, which is now known as FIFA U20 World Cup (where Nigeria crashed out at group stage) and the 2008 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup (where the Falconets reached the quarter finals).

    Matches will take place in Santiago, Rancagua, Valparaíso, Talca – all located in the centre of the country.

    ALL THE FINALISTS FOR CHILE 2025    

    Chile, Nigeria, Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, Australia, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Korea Republic, France, Italy, Spain, Norway, Ukraine, USA, Mexico, Panama, Cuba, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, New Zealand & New Caledonia

  • Egypt 2025: Flying Eagles target World Cup at Senegal’s expense

    Egypt 2025: Flying Eagles target World Cup at Senegal’s expense

    .Sanusi urges  boys to ‘show character of a champion team’

    It is a date with another set of Lion Cubs this  afternoon and Head Coach Aliyu Zubairu has assured that Nigeria’s U20 boys are focused and determined to achieve a win that will guarantee them a place at this year’s FIFA U20 World Cup finals.

    Unbeaten in their group B campaign, the Flying Eagles however finished second behind another set of Lion Cubs from Morocco, and had to proceed to Ismailia for their game against title-holders Senegal. Senegal also finished second in their group C, which also included Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana and Central African Republic.

    The 19-team finals have been whittled down to eight contenders, with Tanzania and Zambia eliminated in group A, Tunisia (despite their three points) and Kenya thrown out from group B and Central African Republic stopped in group C.

    On Saturday, General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, Dr Mohammed Sanusi called on the seven-time champions to play differently when they confront the Cup holders this  afternoon.

     “I have no doubt that you have the ability to rise to the occasion. Monday is the occasion, because you are not only playing against the defending champions, you also must win to qualify for the FIFA World Cup. The first objective for any team in any competition that is a qualifier for a bigger tournament is to qualify, followed by the second objective of winning the trophy.

     “The NFF and the Nigeria football fraternity are fully behind you and giving you the maximum support, and you have to repay their encouragement and prayers with a World Cup ticket on Monday.”

    Two years ago, the Lion Cubs from Senegal pipped the Flying Eagles 1-0 in the two teams’ first match of the CAF U20 Championship at the Cairo International Stadium, on the way to the Cubs’ first triumph in the competition, after they defeated Gambia 2-0 in the final. Nigeria finished third in the same competition.

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    However, Nigeria know they cannot afford to pull any punches today  as only the semi-finalists will qualify to fly Africa’s flag at the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile later in the year.

    The Flying Eagles came within a nodding distance of the semi-finals at the last FIFA U20 World Cup in Argentina, two years ago.

    Nigeria converted Senegal to a happy hunting-ground ten years ago, beating the host nation 3-1 in the opening match of the CAF U20 Championship and then securing a 1-0 win over the Lion Cubs in the final to pick their seventh continental title. In December of the same year, Nigeria’s U23 team won the Africa U23 Cup of Nations in Senegal to qualify to represent Africa at the Rio 2016 Olympics.

    Senegal will also flaunt their 2-1 defeat of Nigeria in the Round of 16 of the FIFA U20 World Cup finals in Poland six years ago.

    On Monday, at the Suez Canal Stadium, Nigeria must show strength, skills and invention against a Senegalese side that has the ability to turn the table against the opposition when least expected.

     “We know what to expect. It is a big match for both teams because the winner will be going to the World Cup. It is like a final match, and if you throw in the matter of the rivalry between our two countries, it means we must be disciplined and determined for the entire duration of the game. We will do just that,” Coach Zubairu said as the team had its first official training in Ismailia on Saturday.

    While the rear-guard has shown some solidity in the campaign – except for the moment of loss of concentration that allowed Kenya’s second goal on Wednesday – much will be expected of Nigerian striker Kparobo Arierhi, who has scored only one goal here thus far.

    Arierhi was venerated as the man to determine the length of Nigeria’s stay in Egypt, after his three goals at the WAFU B U20 Championship in Lome and a pre-tournament strike against the Young Pharaohs of Egypt. But the equalizer that brought parity at the first instance against Kenya has been the only time he attained the score sheet in three games.

    Captain Bameyi, who scored his first competitive goal for the team from the spot against the Rising Stars, will be expected to keep things tight at the back with Odinaka Okoro, Chigozie Ihejiofor and Adamu Maigari also providing cover for goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt.

    Zubairu must decide whether to start Divine Oliseh in midfield, alongside Clinton Jephta and Israel Ayuma, or retain Simon Cletus, while Arierhi, Auwal Ibrahim (whose lone goal earned the crucial three points against Tunisia), Ezekiel Kpangu, Precious Benjamin and Mendos Rickson are also available for spaces at the fore.

  • FIFA U20 World Cup: Igbokwe confident of Falconets chances

    FIFA U20 World Cup: Igbokwe confident of Falconets chances

    Falconets midfielder, Joy Igbokwe is confident the Nigeria U20 Women’s national team have enough manpower to displace highly rated Japan in the round of 16 at the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

    All eyes are on Estadio Metropolitano de Bogotá, where Nigeria’s U-20 women’s team, led by coach Christopher Danjuma, will face a formidable Japanese side on Friday and Igbokwe disclosed that the Falconets have been pumped up for the task ahead.

    She spoke candidly ahead of the crucial clash saying; “myself and my teammates are ready for this challenge.”

    Joy’s optimism comes from the team’s laser-like focus and the leadership of coach Danjuma, who has expertly guided them through the tournament so far.

    “The coach is hard on us when he needs to be and lenient when he needs to be – there’s a good balance to help us progress,” Joy revealed, praising Danjuma’s ability to strike the right tone as the stakes intensify.

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    The Falconets have peaked at just the right time, their confidence boosted by a resounding 4-0 victory over Venezuela at Pascual Guerrero Stadium in Cali. Joy herself had a standout moment in that match, coming off the bench as a second-half substitute and scoring a stunning screamer in the 90+3 minute, capping off a brilliant team performance that sealed second place in their group behind Germany.

    Now, with their attention fully locked on Japan, Joy Igbokwe and her teammates know the task ahead is massive. “The focus is solely on the Japan game and getting the job done,” she emphasized. The stakes couldn’t be higher, but the Falconets are determined, embracing the challenge with the meticulous preparation they’ve undergone in training.

    As the game approaches, the Falconets carry the hopes of a nation, ready to leave everything on the field in their pursuit of glory at the U-20 Women’s World Cup. The stage is set, and Joy Igbokwe is confident that her team is prepared to rise to the occasion.