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Flying Eagles of Nigeria Begins Hunt For Maiden World Cup Against Dominican Republic

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The Flying Eagles of Nigeria has begun their hunt for a first U-20 World Cup trophy when they face the Dominican Republic in their opening fixture at the 2023 edition of the tournament.

Nigeria have reached the final of the age-grade competition twice – in 1989 and 2005 – and will be aiming to take it a step further when Sunday’s clash begins at the Estadio Malvinas Argentina in Mendoza.

En route to the championship, Nigeria finished third at the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations and are among four teams to represent the continent in the South American nation.

The Africans are favourite against Walter Benítez’s side and know that a win over them will place Nigeria in good stead to qualify from a Group D that includes Brazil and Italy.

Although Nigeria have played 13 times in the competition against their rivals who are making their debut, Coach Ladan Bosso admits that the clash won’t be an easy game. He, however, believes the Pre-Tournament season have infused confidence in the squad.

“As I stated earlier, we are happy with the results from the two friendly matches we played in Buenos Aires,” the NFF quoted him as saying.

“We won one against an Argentina club and then drew with the Colombia U20 team that’s also taking part in this tournament. Those are not bad results.

“More than anything else, what the results have done is give us confidence that we can get the job done. Victory over the Dominican Republic on Sunday will stabilise our winning mentality.

“It is a factor that matters in championships and that is why we are determined to win on Sunday.”

Italy-based Victor Eletu, who later teamed up with the squad, is expected to provide much-needed depth to the Flying Eagles’ side.

Nigeria is likely to parade the Chijioke Aniagbosos in goal with Daniel Bameyi, Abel Ogwuche, Benjamin Frederick, and Solomon Agbalaka at the back.

Ibrahim Muhammad, Samson Lawal, and Jude Sunday are expected to be picked for the fixture.

Time for Nigeria vs Dominican Republic U-20 Match

https://twitter.com/CAF_Online/status/1660317880481722368?s=20

Nigeria’s game against Dominican Republic at the U-20 World Cup 2023 will begin at 7:00 pm (WAT).

After the match, the Flying Eagles’ next tie is against Italy on May 24 before they take on Brazil three days later.

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Anthony Joshua discharged from hospital

Gbenga Omotoso, Lagos Commissioner of Information, and Kayode Akinmade, Special Adviser to the Ogun State Governor on Information and Strategy, confirmed the discharge of the boxing champion.

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British-Nigerian heavyweight boxer, Anthony Joshua, has been discharged from Duchess International Hospital in Ikeja, Lagos.

Joshua, who survived an accident that led to the loss of the lives of two of his friends, was involved in the accident on Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

In a statement on Thursday, Gbenga Omotoso, Lagos Commissioner of Information, and Kayode Akinmade, Special Adviser to the Ogun State Governor on Information and Strategy, confirmed the discharge of the boxing champion.

The governments of Lagos and Ogun states once again, commiserate with the families of the two young men Lateef Ayodele and Gami Cina who tragically and unfortunately lost their lives in the road accident involving Anthony Joshua.”

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AFCON 2025: Super Eagles to battle Mozambique January 5

Nigeria cruised through the group stage with maximum points, winning all three matches, scoring eight goals and conceding four.

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The Super Eagles of Nigeria will clash with Mozambique in one of the Round of 16 fixtures at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

The 35,000-capacity Complexe Sportif de Fès, Nigeria’s home ground throughout their Group C matches, will host the encounter, which kicks off at 8:00 p.m. on Monday, January 5.

Nigeria cruised through the group stage with maximum points, winning all three matches, scoring eight goals and conceding four.

Ademola Lookman and Raphael Onyedika have each scored twice, while Semi Ajayi, Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Paul Onuachu have also found the net.

Mozambique, on the other hand, began their campaign with a loss to defending champions Côte d’Ivoire, bounced back with a hard-fought victory over Gabon, and then fell 2–1 to Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions on Wednesday evening.

Historically, Nigeria have dominated this fixture, winning four of their five previous meetings. This includes their only AFCON clash, a 3–0 victory in Lubango, Angola, in January 2010.

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Nwabali: I almost quit football when my parents died

On January 1, Nwabali took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce the passing of his mother, describing 2025 as “the worst year of my life.

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Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali

Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has shared the emotional struggles he has faced after he lost both of his parents within a short span

Nwabali , in an interview with ACL Sports while in camp with the Super Eagles in Morocco, as the team prepares for their Round of 16 tie after qualifying top of Group C with an untainted nine points from three matches, reflected on his journey through grief.

He revealed that the loss of his parents last year was particularly painful and at one point made him consider quitting football.

With the support of his teammates, he found the strength to continue playing despite the immense grief.

“My mom passed away on this day last year around 12 pm. I try to move on and be strong, but sometimes I feel like quitting.

At one point, I even told my captain that I wanted to quit football. But with the support of some of my teammates, I was able to carry on.

My mom and dad were so dear to me. Losing them has been incredibly painful. It’s not something any footballer—or any human—should have to experience: losing both parents.”

Nwabali’s father passed away in November 2025, only hours after he played in the Super Eagles’ 1-1 draw against Benin Republic in the 2025 Nations Cup qualifiers.

On January 1, Nwabali took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce the passing of his mother, describing 2025 as “the worst year of my life.”

He wrote: “RIP mom, worst year of my life already,” alongside heartbreak and tear emojis. Before the announcement, he had posted: “A very very crazy world indeed.”

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