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U20WC: Nigeria Defeats Argentina To Reach Quarter-Finals

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Nigeria Flying Eagles have defeated Argentina to secure passage into the FIFA U-20 World Cup quarter-finals, courtesy of second-half goals from Ibrahim Muhammad and Rilwanu Haliru Sarki.

The Flying Eagles started brightly, but as the first half wore on La Albiceleste began to dominate. Veliz had two semi-sniffs at goal as the break approached, heading one narrowly over and flicking the other into the arms of Kingsley Aniagboso.

Nigeria made the breakthrough just after the hour Emmanuel Umeh flicked the ball over the top for Muhammad, who stabbed it past goalkeeper Federico Gomes Gerth.

Argentina piled on the pressure in search of a leveller – and came agonizingly close when Luka Romero’s low drive struck the inside of the post – but Haliru Sarki’s late header secured a famous triumph for Nigeria.

Nigeria will now face the Ecuador-Korea Republic winners in the quarter-finals in Santiago del Estero on Sunday.

The result of the match means Nigeria ended a run of 10 straight U-20 World Cup victories for Argentina in Argentina. La Abliceleste had won all seven games when they hosted the tournament in 2001, and their first three at this edition.

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Amaju Pinnick speaks about his FIFA board appointment

In an interview with ARISE News on Thursday, Pinnick, a former President of the Nigeria Football Federation, expressed humility and pride at the opportunity to serve in one of FIFA’s most strategic committees.

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• Amaju Pinnick

The Deputy Chair of the FIFA Men’s National Teams Competitions Committee, Amaju Pinnick, has described his appointment as a recognition of Nigeria’s growing influence in global sports governance.

In an interview with ARISE News on Thursday, Pinnick, a former President of the Nigeria Football Federation, expressed humility and pride at the opportunity to serve in one of FIFA’s most strategic committees.

“The importance of this is a recognition of Nigeria, as well as global sports. First, I’m saying that I’m humbled by the opportunity for me.

The Committee for Competitions is the most important committee, because FIFA is all about competitions, organising competitions, which also includes the World Cup, the U-20 and the U-17, even up to the Club World Cup,” he said.

Explaining the committee’s mandate, Pinnick noted that it plays a central role in managing and supervising FIFA’s global tournaments and the participation of national teams.

It’s a committee that has a responsibility. It has to be seen with national teams, with national team players, to be allowed to play in any of those competitions,” he stated.

Pinnick also highlighted the calibre of individuals serving alongside him, noting that the committee reflects the international breadth of football administration.

“A lot of people in the committee, even Danny Jordaan from South Africa, is a member of the committee. Danny Jordaan was chairman of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. So, we are very, very happy,” he said.

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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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