Nigeria’s national under-20 football team, the Flying Eagles, have officially kicked off their 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup campaign in Chile with a group stage match against Norway.1 The highly-anticipated match, which is the first-ever meeting between the two nations at this level, took place at the Estadio Fiscal de Talca.2
The Flying Eagles arrived in Chile after a period of intensive preparation, which included a training camp in Santiago and friendly matches against the host nation and Australia.3 The team, led by coach Aliyu Zubairu, is making its 14th appearance at the tournament, the most by any African nation.4 Despite their rich history, which includes two runner-up finishes in 1989 and 2005, the team is yet to lift the trophy.5
The team’s captain, Daniel Bameyi, expressed the squad’s ambition to go all the way and become the first African team to win the competition since Ghana’s triumph.6 The squad features a blend of local talent and Europe-based players, and their confidence has been boosted by a series of positive results in pre-tournament friendlies.7
The match against Norway is seen as a crucial first step for the Flying Eagles in a challenging Group F, which also includes Saudi Arabia and Colombia.8 A positive result in the opening game would set a strong tone and put the team in a good position to advance to the knockout stages. The team is banking on its strong pedigree and tactical preparation to overcome the Norwegian side, which is making only its fourth appearance at the tournament.
