Nigeria’s U-20 national football team, the Flying Eagles, embarked on their journey towards the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup with a 1-1 draw against hosts Chile in a friendly match held in Rancagua on Saturday. This match served as the first of two preparatory games scheduled before the commencement of the tournament on September 27 in Santiago, Chile. The Flying Eagles drew first blood in the 18th minute courtesy of a well-executed header by defender Ahmed Akinyele, connecting with a corner kick delivered by Tahir Maigana. However, Chile responded swiftly, equalizing 18 minutes later through Felipe Faúndez, who successfully slotted the ball past Nigerian goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt.
The second half saw Harcourt rise to the occasion, making two crucial saves early on to prevent Chile from taking the lead. Coach Aliyu Zubairu sought to revitalize his team by introducing Abduljelil Kamaldeen, Kparobo Arhieri, and Auwal Ibrahim as substitutes. Despite these changes, the match ended in a stalemate, providing valuable insights into the team’s strengths and areas for improvement as they gear up for the global competition.
This friendly match was a key component of Nigeria’s final 12-day training camp in Chile, which commenced after the team’s departure from Abuja the previous Sunday. Following the Chile encounter, the Flying Eagles are slated to face Australia in their second warm-up game on Tuesday, further honing their skills and tactics before the World Cup kicks off. Coach Zubairu has carefully selected a 21-man squad for the tournament, strategically blending foreign-based players with home-grown talents. Notably, only eight players from the squad that secured a bronze medal at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations earlier in the year were retained, reflecting the coach’s emphasis on performance and form.
The Flying Eagles, seven-time African champions, have been placed in Group F and will contest all their group stage matches at the Estadio Fiscal in Talca, situated 250 kilometers from Santiago. Their campaign begins with a clash against Norway on September 29, followed by encounters with Saudi Arabia on October 2 and Colombia on October 5. This group presents a challenging yet exciting prospect for the Nigerian team, demanding a high level of performance to secure their place in the knockout stages.
Historically, Nigeria boasts a strong record in the U-20 World Cup, having reached the final twice – in 1989, where they lost to Portugal, and in 2005, where they were defeated by a Lionel Messi-led Argentina. These experiences, while ultimately ending in disappointment, underscore the team’s capability to compete at the highest level. The 2025 tournament represents another opportunity for the Flying Eagles to etch their name in history and finally claim the coveted U-20 World Cup title.
The draw against Chile serves as a valuable learning experience, highlighting both the team’s strengths and areas requiring improvement. The upcoming match against Australia will provide another crucial test before the tournament begins. Coach Zubairu’s strategic blend of foreign-based and home-grown talent, combined with the retained core from the bronze medal-winning AFCON team, creates a formidable squad capable of navigating the challenges ahead. The group stage fixtures against Norway, Saudi Arabia, and Colombia will demand tactical acumen and resilience, but the Flying Eagles’ history of reaching the final twice suggests they possess the potential to make a deep run in the tournament. Their ultimate goal remains to secure Nigeria’s first U-20 World Cup title, a feat they will strive to achieve in the upcoming competition.
