Edet Ikotidem
The Nigerian Flying Eagles have advanced to the second round of the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Despite falling to Brazil 2-0 in their final group match on Saturday at the Estadio Nico Diego Armando Maradona in La Plata, Argentina, the Eagles still qualified for the competition’s knockout round.
After winning their opening two games against Italy and the Dominican Republic, the Flying Eagles’ loss was their only setback in the group. However, the team only advanced as one of the top three third-place teams in the group stage because it came in third place in its group.
Ladan Bosso made two adjustments in the lineup against Gil Azurrini on Wednesday.
Augustine Njoku replaced Benjamin Fredrick for the first game of the competition, and Emmanuel Umeh replaced Ibrahim Muhammad.
Jude Sunday almost gave the Nigerians the lead in the eighth minute, but Mycael, the Brazilian goalkeeper, scooped the ball out.
The Nigerians started the game with more vigor.
However, Nigeria’s early dominance began to wane after that, and the Brazilians became more involved in the match.
Just before halftime, two goals brought the South Americans’ dominance to a close.
When a corner was floated in, Jean Pedroso was the first to react, and he headed the ball into the goal past Kingsley Aniaboso’s arm.
Also read: U-20 World Cup: Brazilians Under -20 Team Need 3 Points for Round of 16
A few minutes later, the advantage was doubled when Marquinhos, who had just finished a swift counterattack, slipped the ball between Aniaboso’s legs and into the goal.
Rilwanu Sarki, Joshua John, and Tochukwu Nnadi were brought on for Salim Fago Lawal, Victor Lawal, and Daniel Daga after the break as part of a triple substitution by Bosso.
The game limped past the Flying Eagles, who appeared timid despite Sarki’s two crossbar strikes, as Brazil won the group with six points and a seven-goal advantage.
Italy defeated the Dominican Republic 3-0 in the other group match to improve to second place with six points, just one goal behind Nigeria.
In the competition’s second round, scheduled to start on Tuesday, Nigeria will face Argentina.
