Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have shifted their consideration to Thursday’s must-win conflict towards Saudi Arabia following their 1-0 loss to Norway within the opening match of the FIFA U20 World Cup.
The 2-time finalists dominated massive spells towards the Europeans however had been undone by a controversial penalty within the ninth minute. Regardless of a barrage of second-half possibilities — together with Tahir Maigana hitting the publish and Nasiru Salihu blasting over the bar — Nigeria couldn’t discover an equaliser.
Head coach Aliyu Zubairu has already urged his gamers to bounce again. “We can not dwell on this defeat. A very powerful factor now’s Saudi Arabia. We now have to provide the whole lot to win that recreation if we need to keep on this event,” he stated.
Captain Daniel Bameyi echoed his coach’s message, attributing the Norway defeat to dangerous luck however stressing that the crew should be extra scientific. “We did the whole lot proper besides rating. We can not enable this to occur once more. Towards Saudi Arabia, we should take our possibilities,” he stated.
Norway coach Bjorn Johansen had earlier praised Nigeria, calling them a “very powerful opponent,” regardless of his crew’s win. That respect will function motivation for the Flying Eagles, who’re decided to show themselves.
The Nigerians know that something in need of victory might put their qualification hopes in jeopardy. With a powerful squad and historical past of resilience, optimism stays that they will flip issues round.
“We aren’t out but,” stated midfielder Nasiru Salihu. “We’ll combat to the top. The Saudi recreation is sort of a last for us, and we’re prepared.”
All eyes will now be on Thursday’s conflict, because the Flying Eagles search redemption and their first factors of the event.
