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Nigeria’s Flying Eagles Train in Mendoza, Argentina, Ahead of U-20 World Cup

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The Flying Eagles of Nigeria have arrived Mendoza, Argentina for their first training session on Wednesday evening, before their opening match of the FIFA U-20 World Cup against the Dominican Republic on Sunday.

The team, led by head coach, Ladan Bosso, touched down at the Aero Puerto International Airport, Mendoza and was received by NFF’s Head of International Competitions, Dayo Enebi, and officials of the Local Organising Committee of the championship.

Recall that the Nigeria Football Federation had set up a pre-World Cup training camp for the Flying Eagles in Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina, where the team defeated an Argentine second division team, Almirante, and battled out a 3-3 draw with fellow World Cup finalists Colombia in friendlies.

Substitute Emmanuel Umeh salvaged a draw for Nigeria in the second friendly when he found the net in the 89th minute, while Jude Sunday, with a powerful shot from outside the box in the 44th minute, and Ibrahim Beji Muhammad at minute 77 were the other scorers for the seven-time African champions.

Nigeria, who will be making their 13th appearance at the FIFA U-20 World Cup, start their campaign against Dominican Republic on Sunday, then face the Italians three days later, before rounding off the group stage against Brazil May 27.

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FIFA U-20 World Cup: Nigeria to face Argentina on Wednesday , following Colombia 1-1 draw

Elsewhere, Colombia will meet South Africa, while Norway takes on Paraguay in other Round of 16 fixtures.

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Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have advanced to the Round of 16 at the ongoing 24th FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, following a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Colombia in the early hours of Monday.

The result means Nigeria will now face Argentina at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos in Santiago on Wednesday a repeat of the quarter-final clash from the last U20 World Cup hosted by Argentina, where the Flying Eagles triumphed 2–0 in San Juan.

Elsewhere, Colombia will meet South Africa, while Norway takes on Paraguay in other Round of 16 fixtures.

At the Estadio Fiscal de Talca, the seven-time African champions delivered a spirited performance, with goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt making crucial saves in the 23rd and 26th minutes to keep the scores level during a tense opening period.

Despite Colombia’s early pressure, the Nigerians were the more enterprising side, with Tahir Maigana, Kparobo Arierhi, and Suleman Sani constantly troubling the South American defence and striking the upright on several occasions.Colombia broke the deadlock in the 51st minute through Kener Gonzalez, who converted from Neyser Villareal’s assist.

Undeterred, the Flying Eagles piled on relentless pressure, and defender Odinaka Okoro came close with a header in the 76th minute.

Nigeria’s persistence paid off in the 86th minute when captain Daniel Bameyi calmly slotted home from the penalty spot after a Colombian defender handled Maigana’s goal-bound effort.

The Nigerians nearly clinched a late winner, but Arierhi’s shot in the 89th minute was blocked inside the area.

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U20 World Cup: Flying Eagles win Saudi Arabia 3-2

Goals from Nasiru Salihu and Amos Ochoche had put Nigeria ahead on two occasions, but defensive lapses allowed Saudi Arabia to equalise both times.

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•Flying Eagles of Nigeria

The Flying Eagles of Nigeria kept their U20 World Cup hopes alive with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Saudi Arabia in a Group F encounter at the Fiscal Stadium in Chile on Friday.

A stoppage-time penalty calmly converted by captain Daniel Bameyi proved decisive, capping off a tense contest that saw Nigeria twice surrender the lead.

The midnight kickoff saw Aliyu Zubair’s side bounce back from a disappointing opening loss to Norway.

Goals from Nasiru Salihu and Amos Ochoche had put Nigeria ahead on two occasions, but defensive lapses allowed Saudi Arabia to equalise both times.

Then Kparobo Arierhi failed to convert with only the goalkeeper to beat, and his team was punished minutes after when the Nigerian defence failed to clear a long punt forward, allowing Amar Al-Ayuba to ghost in behind and poke the loose ball beyond Ebenezer Harcourt for 1-1 on 21 minutes.

The Flying Eagles regained the lead in the 21st minute after executing a three-player free-kick routine that ended with Ochoche’s mishit cross looping into the far top corner, giving Nigeria a 2-1 lead at the break.

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Coach Chelle Picks Super Eagles squad for 2026 World Cup qualifiers

Stanley Nwabali retains his place as first-choice goalkeeper, supported by Amas Obasogie and Adebayo Adeleye, while Felix Agu, Bruno Onyemaechi, Bright Osayi, Benjamin Fredrick, and Calvin Bassey are drafted into defence.

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Nigeria have announced their 23-man squad for October’s decisive 2026 FIFA men’s World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin on Friday, with head coach Eric Chelle handing Sevilla striker Akor Adams a maiden call-up.

Captain William Troost-Ekong headlines the team, while Semi Ajayi, Terem Moffi, Alhassan Yusuf and Olakunle Olusegun all return after spells away from the national side.

Stanley Nwabali retains his place as first-choice goalkeeper, supported by Amas Obasogie and Adebayo Adeleye, while Felix Agu, Bruno Onyemaechi, Bright Osayi, Benjamin Fredrick, and Calvin Bassey are drafted into defence.

In midfield, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka and Alhassan Yusuf provide Chelle with both experience and energy.

Nigeria’s forward line is led by Victor Osimhen and also features Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Terem Moffi, Cyriel Dessers, Tolu Arokodare, the returning Olakunle Olusegun and debutant Adams.

The announcement comes at a critical juncture in Group C of the African qualifiers.

Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the World Cup had appeared to be slipping away after five draws in eight matches, but FIFA’s recent sanction against South Africa has dramatically altered the picture.

(PUNCH)

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