Monday October 6, 2025
By TheNewsDESK |
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles booked their place in the Round of 16 at the ongoing FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile after a 1–1 draw with Colombia in Talca in the early hours of Monday, October 6. Goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt made key saves in the 23rd and 26th minutes to keep the scores level, while the Nigerian attack — led by Tahir Maigana, Kparobo Arierhi, and Suleman Sani — created several chances, including efforts that struck the upright.
Colombia took the lead in the 51st minute through Kener Gonzalez, who converted from a Neyser Villareal assist.
The Flying Eagles responded with sustained pressure and were rewarded four minutes from time when captain Daniel Bameyi calmly converted a penalty after Maigana’s shot was handled in the box.
Defender Odinaka Okoro came close to giving Nigeria the lead earlier in the 76th minute, but his header was saved, while Arierhi’s late effort in the 89th minute was blocked in a crowded penalty area.
The result means Nigeria will face Argentina on Wednesday, October 8, at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos in Santiago — a rematch of the quarter-final encounter at the 2023 edition hosted by Argentina, where Nigeria triumphed 2–0 in San Juan. Colombia will face South Africa, while Norway will play Paraguay in other Round of 16 fixtures.
