Nigeria’s U20 coach Aliyu Zubairu has hailed his gamers’ resilience and tactical self-discipline after the Flying Eagles battled to a 1-1 draw with Colombia to seal qualification for the Spherical of 16 on the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile.
Initially of the day, Colombia have been already assured of development, whereas Nigeria wanted at the very least some extent to remain alive. After a pulsating contest on the Estadio Fiscal in Talca, each groups shared the spoils — a consequence that despatched the Flying Eagles by way of as among the finest third-placed nations.
Nigeria got here shut on a number of events within the first half, hitting the submit as soon as and the crossbar twice in a dominant spell that showcased their attacking intent.
Regardless of their strain, the breakthrough got here on the different finish six minutes into the second half when Kener González completed sharply previous 15-year-old Nigerian goalkeeper Ebenezar Harcourt, already capped at senior degree.
The Flying Eagles refused to wilt, pushing for an equaliser as Colombian goalkeeper Jordan García produced a collection of beautiful saves to protect his workforce’s lead.
However Nigeria’s persistence was lastly rewarded late within the sport when captain Daniel Bameyi transformed a penalty within the 86th minute — his second profitable spot-kick in as many matches — to safe the very important level.
Talking after the match, Coach Aliyu Zubairu recommended his workforce’s preventing spirit and tactical consciousness in opposition to a robust Colombian facet.
“It wasn’t simple, however we stood our floor and have been proactive,” Zubairu stated. “We knew they’re bodily robust and good on the ball, so we tried to disclaim them passing lanes, and that gave us slightly edge. All we needed was to qualify for the subsequent spherical, and we aren’t fearful about who now we have to face.”
The consequence means Nigeria advance to the knockout stage, the place they may face Argentina, the one workforce to have received all three of their group video games. The fixture units up a extremely anticipated rematch — two years after the Flying Eagles eradicated Argentina on the identical stage.
Because the event enters its decisive rounds, Zubairu’s facet carry momentum and perception, their resilience in Talca serving as proof that Nigeria’s famed youth soccer pedigree stays alive on the world stage.
