Flying Eagles Secure Round of 16 Spot After Late Drama Against Colombia
Nigeria’s U-20 national team, the Flying Eagles, advanced to the knockout stages of the FIFA U-20 World Cup following a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Colombia in Talca, Chile. A late penalty conversion by captain Daniel Bameyi proved decisive in securing the team’s progression.
The match, played in the early hours of Monday, showcased Nigeria’s defensive resilience against a dominant Colombian side. After a scoreless first half, Colombia’s Kener González broke the deadlock, capitalizing on a defensive lapse early in the second period.
Nigerian goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt played a crucial role, making vital saves in the 23rd and 26th minutes to keep his team in contention. The Flying Eagles mounted their response through counter-attacks, with Tahir Maigana coming particularly close, hitting the woodwork twice. Fellow attackers Kparobo Arierhi and Suleman Sani also created threatening moments for the Colombian defense.
The breakthrough for Nigeria came in the 86th minute when a foul in the penalty area presented a golden opportunity. Captain Bameyi displayed remarkable composure, converting the spot-kick with a well-placed shot that wrong-footed the Colombian goalkeeper.
Before the equalizer, defender Odinaka Okoro had nearly leveled the score in the 76th minute, connecting with a header from Maigana’s cross. The draw proved sufficient for Nigeria to qualify from the group, while Colombia advanced as Group F winners.
Looking ahead, the Flying Eagles face a historic clash with Argentina in the Round of 16. The fixture recalls memorable encounters between the nations, including Nigeria’s impressive 2-0 victory over the hosts in San Juan during the 2023 tournament, and the 2005 final where a young Lionel Messi led Argentina to victory over Nigeria.
In other Round of 16 matchups, Colombia will face South Africa, while Norway takes on Paraguay as the tournament enters its decisive phase.
