U20 FOOTBALL
Record-extending seekers, Nigeria Flying Eagles, seek dominance continuation over Tunisia
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles open their Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations account this evening as they file out against Tunisia, a team that has always fallen prey to Nigeria’s firepower.
In five previous encounters dating back to 1981, Nigeria won three and lost just once and drew one. In all instances, Nigeria always score.
In those encounters, Nigeria scored a massive 12 and twice beat Tunisia 4-0 in 1981 and 2023.
If the facts of both teams’ previous encounters, as well as their performances in the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, are key determinants, the odds weighed overwhelmingly in Nigeria’s favour.
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles are nine-time finalists and the most successful team at the finals with seven titles.
They were champions in 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 2005, 2011 and 2015.
Egypt 2025 is their 19th appearance in 23 editions. They missed out on qualification only four times in 1993, 2001, 2017 and 2021.
The Flying Eagles in their previous 18 qualifications have reached the semi-finals at least 16 times. They have exited in the group stage only twice in 1993 and 2001.
Nigeria finished in the top three position 15 times and only ended fourth once in 2019. However, they have never won the tournament in North Africa. Egypt 2025 is where they hope to break the apparent jinx.
Their good run in the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations has seen them have just one loss in their last 11 group stage games (W8 D2). Their defeat against Senegal in their opening game in 2023 is their only loss.
In their last 10 tournament appearances, the Flying Eagles have won their opening game seven times. They have lost twice, to Mali in 2013 and Senegal in 2023, both 1-0 losses. They also drew with Mali 0-0 in 2001.
For Tunisia, the last qualifiers, whose appearance was a direct result of Côte d’Ivoire pulling out, this is their third consecutive qualification.
Their best finish is asrunners-up to Nigeria in 1985, and they will feature in a finals tournament hosted by a fellow North African side for the first time.
Tunisia reached the semi-finals at the last two finals they have featured at, finishing fourth in 2021 and 2023.
They reached the semi-finals in 2023 despite failing to win their first two games, beginning with a 1-0 loss against Gambia and then drawing 0-0 with Benin, before winning their final game against Zambia 2-1.
They drew 3-3 with Congo in the quarter-final before winning on penalties, then lost to Senegal and Nigeria in the play-off for third.
Tunisia have conceded at least three goals in each of their last three games at the finals. They drew 3-3 with Congo in the quarterfinals before winning on penalties but then lost 3-0 and 4-0 respectively to Senegal and Nigeria.
They are winless in their last nine games against West African teams (D6 L3).
Tunisia’s last win over a West African team was a 1-0 away success in the first leg of their first-round tie against Guinea in 1987. They won 2-1 on aggregate after the second leg ended 1-1.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Just like Brazil did to the Nigerian Flying Eagles 38 years in Concepcion, Chile, so has done Rampant Argentina as they humiliated Nigeria 4-0 in the Round of 16 of the ongoing Under 20 World Cup.
Thesix-time champions Argentina did not waste much time as they began scoring just two minutes the match in Santiago. By the time the dust settled, the Flying Eagles had conceded two goals in each half.
The humiliating defeat not only avenged a 2-0 loss to Nigeria two years ago, it eliminated the Flying Eagles from the tournament.
From the very first whistle, it was a nightmare unfolding for Nigeria. Barely two minutes in, Alejo Sarco silenced the West Africans with a crisp opener that shattered their early rhythm. Things went from bad to worse in the 23rd minute, when Maher Carrizo curled in a brilliant free-kick after Nasiru Salihu’s mistimed challenge at the edge of the box — a goal that left Nigeria’s defensive wall and goalkeeper rooted in disbelief.
Nigeria’s brief glimmer of hope came when Salihu appeared to be fouled by Ramirez inside the box, but the referee waved away appeals for a penalty, compounding their frustration.
With the Argentines dominating possession and dictating the pace, Nigeria’s attacks came in desperate flashes.
Oseer Achihi’s darting runs down the left flank occasionally unsettled the South Americans, but his dangerous crosses found no finishing touch.
Even Daniel Daga’s stoppage-time effort, Nigeria’s best chance of the first half, was spectacularly denied by goalkeeper Santino Barbi, keeping the scoreline at 2-0 at halftime.
Whatever hopes Nigeria harboured of a second-half comeback evaporated quickly. Carrizo struck again in the 53rd minute, finishing off a swift Argentine counter-attack that sliced open Nigeria’s backline.
By the time substitute Matheus Silvetti beat the offside trap and curled home Argentina’s fourth in the 66th minute, it was clear the Flying Eagles were facing a total collapse and will be flying home.
Outclassed, outpaced, and outscored, the defeat marked one of Nigeria’s heaviest in recent U20 World Cup history.
The Flying Eagles — two-time runners-up — exit the tournament with a bitter taste, undone by Argentina’s ruthless precision and their own defensive frailties.
For the Albiceleste, it was not just victory — it was vengeance delivered in emphatic style.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
SUMMARY
*Nigeria never lost a competitive match on October 8
*Nigeria first international match was on October 8, 1949
*Nigeria first qualified for the World Cup following an October 8 match with Algeria in 1993
Mexico have booked their place in the quarter-finals of the ongoing FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile, following a commanding 4-1 victory over hosts Chile in the early hours of Wednesday.
With the win, the North Americans will now await the outcome of the Round of 16 clash between Nigeria and Argentina, which takes place later tonight at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez PrádanosinSantiago.
Nigeria will be aiming to repeat history against the Albiceleste, having stunned them 2-0 on home soil in their previous meeting two years ago.
But beyond recent records, the Super Eagles’ U20 side will also be drawing inspiration from a remarkable tradition — the ‘Magic of October 8’ — a date that has consistently brought Nigeria good fortune in football.
October 8: A Date Steeped in Nigerian Football History
It was on October 8, 1949, that Nigeria played their first-ever international match, defeating Sierra Leone 2-0 in Freetown. Since then, matches played on this date have often carried a touch of destiny for the nation.
In 1963, the team earned a 2-2 draw away to Liberia, maintaining their unbeaten streak on October 8, shortly after Nigeria had, through protest, overturned a result against Guinea to qualify for their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations.
Perhaps the most iconic result came 26 years after Nigeria’s debut international match, when the Green Eagles thrashed Egypt 4-0 in Lagos on October 8, 1977, during the final stage of the World Cup qualifiers for Argentina ’78.
That defeat remained Egypt’s heaviest in a World Cup qualifier until Ghana’s 6-1 rout in 2013.
The tradition continued in 1993, when Nigeria held Algeria 1-1 in Algiers on October 8 to qualify for their first-ever FIFA World Cup, becoming the first English-speaking African nation to reach the global showpiece.
Even FIFA appeared to acknowledge the date’s mystique — lifting a provisional ban on Nigeria on October 8, 2010.
Nigeria’s Record on October 8
- 1949 – Freetown (Friendly): Sierra Leone 0–2 Nigeria
- 1963 – Monrovia (Friendly): Liberia 2–2 Nigeria
- 1977 – Lagos (World Cup Qualifier): Nigeria 4–0 Egypt
- 1993 – Algiers (World Cup Qualifier): Algeria 1–1 Nigeria (Nigeria qualify for USA ’94)
- 2005 – Abuja (World Cup Qualifier): Nigeria 5–1 Zimbabwe
- 2010 – FIFA provisionally lifts ban on Nigeria
- 2011 – Abuja (AFCON Qualifier): Nigeria 2–2 Guinea (unbeaten but missed 2012 AFCON ticket)
With such an impressive record, Nigerian fans will be hoping the October 8 magic shines once again when their U20 side face Argentina — and possibly sets up a thrilling quarter-final showdown with Mexico.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Three of Africa’s four representatives — Morocco, Nigeria, and South Africa — have booked their spots in the Round of 16 at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, after a thrilling conclusion to the group phase on Sunday night.
Only Egypt missed out narrowly despite their spirited 2-1 win over hosts Chile in Santiago.
Morocco, the standout African team so far, topped Group C with two impressive victories — against Spain and Brazil — before a narrow defeat to Mexico.
The Atlas Cubs will now face Korea Republic in Rancagua on Thursday, 9 October, with the winner set to meet either Italy or the USA in the quarter-finals.
Nigeria, meanwhile, advanced as one of the best third-placed teams after a battling 1-1 draw with Colombia in Talca.
The Flying Eagles had earlier edged Saudi Arabia 3-2 in a dramatic group clash and will now face Argentina in Santiago — a repeat of their memorable encounters in past youth tournaments.
Coach Aliyu Zubairu praised his side’s resilience:
“It wasn’t easy but we stood our ground and were proactive. We knew they are physically strong and good on the ball so we tried to deny them passing lanes. All we wanted was to qualify for the next round.”
For South Africa, it has been a breakthrough campaign. The Amajita, reigning African U-20 champions, sealed their qualification with a 2-1 win over the USA, their second victory of the tournament after hammering New Caledonia 5-0.
The result sends them into a tough last-16 clash against Colombia on Wednesday, 8 October in Talca.
Coach Raymond Mdaka lauded his side’s progress, saying: “The players have shown great maturity and hunger to compete at this level. We believe we can go further if we remain disciplined and take our chances.”
While Morocco’s tactical discipline, Nigeria’s fighting spirit, and South Africa’s attacking flair have given the continent much to cheer about, Egypt’s exit was a cruel blow.
Despite defeating hosts Chile 2-1 in their final group match, the Young Pharaohs missed out on qualification due to an inferior fair-play record — finishing level on points but with more yellow cards than the South Americans.
The performances of the African teams have reignited optimism about the continent’s growing influence in world youth football, as all three surviving nations now aim to emulate Ghana’s famous 2009 U-20 World Cup triumph.
The knockout round fixtures offer no easy paths, but African hopes remain alive in Chile 2025.
Morocco take on Korea Republic, Nigeria face Argentina, and South Africa meet Colombia — three matches that could further underline Africa’s rising football pedigree on the global stage.
-Cafonline
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
- World Cup1 week ago
FIFA Sanction on South Africa Offers Super Eagles a Lifeline — But a Lesson from History Looms
- World Cup1 week ago
Sport Minister Orders Probe into SAFA over Bafana’s Costly Points Deduction
- U20 FOOTBALL2 days ago
Flying Eagles Bank on ‘Magic of October 8’ to overcome Argentina
- World Cup6 days ago
Super Eagles Walk Tightrope as Nine Key Players Risk Suspension in World Cup Qualifiers
- World Cup1 week ago
Osimhen Returns as Chelle Names 23-Man Squad for Crucial World Cup Qualifiers
- U-20 FOOTBALL3 days ago
Nigeria, Argentina Renew Rivalry as Flying Eagles Target Quarter-Final Spot in Chile
- U-20 FOOTBALL5 days ago
Nigeria Face Must-Win Battle Against Colombia in Chile
- Premier League6 days ago
Mount and Sesko fire Man United to victory over Sunderland