Nigeria’s Flying Eagles kicked off their twenty fourth FIFA U20 World Cup marketing campaign with a slender 0-1 defeat to Norway on Monday, a consequence that belied their spirited efficiency and relentless attacking play.
The Europeans struck early from the penalty spot within the ninth minute, a call hotly contested by the Nigerians. However the two-time silver medallists refused to be deflated, pouring ahead with wave after wave of attacking soccer that left the opposition clinging desperately to their slender benefit.
Kparobo Arierhi got here inches away from restoring parity within the forty seventh minute when his left-footed strike skimmed extensive of the put up with the goalkeeper rooted to the spot. Sixteen minutes later, fortune once more abandoned the Flying Eagles as Tahir Maigana’s venomous drive rattled the upright.
The stress was relentless. Norway packed our bodies within the field, blocking and clearing desperately, as Nigeria carved likelihood after likelihood. The gang thought the equalizer had come within the 71st minute when Nasiru Salihu unleashed a rocket from the fitting, just for it to sail agonizingly over the crossbar.
Nonetheless, the Eagles pressed. Seven minutes from time, Maigana as soon as once more threatened with a long-range thunderbolt that whistled narrowly extensive. However the breakthrough by no means got here, and the ultimate whistle left the Nigerians ruing their luck on an evening after they deserved way more.
With Saudi Arabia up subsequent on Thursday, the Flying Eagles can be decided to transform dominance into targets and reignite their World Cup cost.
