U-20 W/Cup: Wasteful Flying Eagles Pay Price Against Norway

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles began their 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup campaign on a disappointing note yesterday, falling 1-0 to Norway despite dominating play for long spells.

Coach Aliyu Zubairu’s boys created several chances but lacked the cutting edge in front of goal, while the Europeans capitalised on a contentious ninth-minute penalty to seal victory in the Group F clash.

Nigeria pushed hard for an equaliser, but luck deserted them. Kparobo Arierhi’s strike rolled agonisingly wide with the goalkeeper beaten in the 47th minute, while Tahir Maigana rattled the upright midway through the second half.

Speaking after the game, a visibly frustrated Zubairu blamed wastefulness and misfortune for the defeat.

> “The boys played their hearts out. They created the chances but couldn’t put them away. If just one had gone in, it would have changed everything. But that’s football, and we must move on,” he said.

The Flying Eagles, bottom of the group after Colombia edged Saudi Arabia 1-0 in the other fixture, will face the Saudis in a must-win clash on Thursday.