AfriPulse
The Flying Eagles dominated the game, but their disappointing defending nearly cost them the game…
Nigeria’s under-20 team, the Flying Eagles defeated Saudi Arabia 3-2 in their second game of the 2025 FIFA Under-20 World Cup on Friday, Soccernet.ng reports.
Nigeria locked horns with Saudi Arabia in their second game of the tournament. Recall that coach Aliyu Zubairu’s boys suffered a 1-0 defeat in the hands of Norway last time out. So they were condemned to get all three points against Saudi Arabia.
It was a quite a charged atmosphere, as both teams went in as hard as possible and gave it all they had.
The Flying Eagles dominated the early exchanges and looked like they were going to run away with all three points.
Flying Eagles celebrating win (Photo by CAF)
It took Nigeria just ten minutes to get the lead, and it was a beautifully worked goal. Odinaka Okoro combined well with Suleiman Sani, who was a live wire on the left.
Sani then sent a cross into the box, which Nasiru Salihu, who was running into the box, got his head to the ball and sent it into the net.
A rallying effort from the Naija Boyz! #U20WC | #LegendsInTheMaking pic.twitter.com/VeWQvrlxt2
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) October 3, 2025
Just two minutes later, Nigeria could have gotten a second, as Kparobo Arierhi got through on goal, with only the goalkeeper to beat. But his strike from inside the box was saved from point-blank range.
After that, the Flying Eagles started showing signs of weakness in defence. Saudi Arabia could have easily gotten a goal in the 17th minute, but for the crossbar which saved Rakan Al Ghamdi’s strike.
But just three minutes later, they got their goal, in what was an embarrassing moment for Nigeria’s backline.
Daniel Daga tried to head the ball away following a long kick from the Saudi Arabian goalkeeper. Hamed Youssef, but his jump was mistimed, allowing the ball to bounce into the box.
Amar Al Yuhaybi, who was lurking in the area, got to the ball first and simply poked it behind the on-rushing Ebenezer Harcourt, to make it 1-1.
A similar occurrence happened just about six minutes later. But Harcourt was up to the task this time and made a great save.
Both teams continued to play with their high intensity, and it was Nigeria who got rewarded again. And this time, it was a peach of a goal.
The Flying Eagles won a penalty in the 37th minute, around 35-40 meters from goal, on the right side of the pitch. Three players sat on it, and it looked with it would be a direct kick, but they executed a well-worked training routine.
Salihu, who was the one, who eventually kicked the ball, played it to Amos Ochoche on the left side of Saudi Arabia’s box.
The young defender, who was under pressure from the defenders, struck the ball with his toe, sending it straight into the net to make it 2-1 after 38 minutes.
The Flying Eagles managed to maintain their lead going into the break, but they conceded just five minutes after the restart, courtesy of a goal from Talal Haji.
After being pegged back, Nigeria went on an onslaught. Arierhi, Israel Ayuma, and Charles Agada got into some good situations, but they failed to score.
It looked like the game was going to end in a 2-2 draw, but the Flying Eagles won a penalty in the third minute of stoppage time.
Captain of the team Bameyi took responsibility and dispatched the ball into the net to make it 3-2 for Nigeria and seal the win.
While we sleep, Flying Eagles recorded a hard fought victory over Saudi
Source: SoccerNet | Read the Full Story…
