Chijioke Gabriel
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles kicked off their build-up to the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup with a 1-1 draw against hosts Chile in a keenly contested friendly played in Rancagua on Saturday.
Remo Stars’ defender Ahmed Akinyele gave Nigeria the lead in the 18th minute, rising highest to head home from a corner expertly delivered by Tahir Maigana. But the South Americans responded swiftly, drawing level in the 36th minute through Felipe Faúndez, who slotted past goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt.
Harcourt proved vital after the restart, pulling off two decisive saves to deny Chile an early second-half lead. Coach Aliyu Zubairu rang the changes midway through the half, introducing Abduljelil Kamaldeen, Kparobo Arhieri, and Auwal Ibrahim in search of fresh impetus, but the encounter eventually ended in a stalemate.
The match was the first of two warm-up fixtures lined up for the Flying Eagles as they fine-tune their squad for the global showpiece, which kicks off on September 27 in Santiago, Chile. According to the Nigeria Football Federation, the team will face Australia in a second friendly on Tuesday before the tournament begins.
Zubairu has unveiled a 21-man squad, blending homegrown talent with foreign-based players. Only eight members of the side that won bronze at this year’s U-20 Africa Cup of Nations were retained as Nigeria intensify their push for a maiden U-20 World Cup crown.
The seven-time African champions have been drawn in Group F, where they will play all their matches at the Estadio Fiscal in Talca, 250 kilometres from Santiago. Their campaign starts with a clash against Norway on September 29, followed by games against Saudi Arabia on October 2 and Colombia on October 5.
Despite two previous final appearances — in 1989, when they lost to Portugal, and in 2005, when a Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina denied them glory — the Flying Eagles are still chasing their first world title at this level. With preparations in full swing, Nigerian fans are hopeful this squad can finally go all the way.