Nigeria’s Flying Eagles are back under the spotlight on Thursday night as they look to salvage their FIFA U20 World Cup campaign against Saudi Arabia in Talca, Soccernet.ng reports.
Both sides lost their opening Group F games 1-0, but for very different reasons.
Nigeria’s defeat to Norway stung harder. The West Africans conceded an early penalty but went on to dominate the match, enjoying 65% possession, firing 20 shots, and rattling the woodwork more than once.
Yet the equaliser never came. Striker Kparobo Arierhi cut a frustrated figure, missing chances he would normally bury, while playmaker Ayuma struggled to connect midfield to attack.
Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, dug deep against Colombia, defending with numbers but finding themselves repeatedly exposed down the right.
A single mistake in possession, punished by a high Colombian press, proved costly. Their goalkeeper Hamed Al Shanqiti impressed between the sticks, but his back line creaked under pressure.
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Head to head: History favors the Flying Eagles
History favours Nigeria. In two previous U20 World Cup meetings with Saudi Arabia, the Flying Eagles came out on top both times.
In 1989, goals from Mutiu Adepoju and Christopher Ohenhen sealed a 2-1 win en route to the final. In 2011, Ahmed Musa and Olanrewaju Kayode were on target in a 2-0 group stage victory.
This is Nigeria’s 14th appearance at the U20 World Cup, making them one of the tournament’s most consistent participants.
Twice they have finished runners-up (1989, 2005), and only twice (in 1983 and 1987) have they failed to escape the group stage.
Saudi Arabia, making their 10th appearance, have never gone beyond the Round of 16. Still, as runners-up at the AFC U20 Asian Cup, they arrive in Chile with pedigree and grit.
Possible lineups
Nigeria (4-3-3): Harcourt; Ochoche, Akinyele, Bameyi, Okoro; Daga, Ayuma, Agada; Maigana, Arierhi, Suleiman.
Saudi Arabia (4-4-2): Al Shanqiti; Nawaf, Mohammed, Harun, Aman; Ziyad, Bassam, Farhah, Haqawi; Al Khaibri, Al Ghamdi.
Match details
Tournament: FIFA U20 World Cup, Chile 2025
Fixture: Nigeria vs Saudi Arabia
Venue: Estadio Fiscal de Talca
Date: Thursday, 3 October 2025
Kickoff time: 12 midnight
What’s at Stake?
With Colombia and Norway already on three points, defeat for either Nigeria or Saudi Arabia could mean an early exit.
For the Flying Eagles, accustomed to progressing from the group stage, anything short of victory would be catastrophic.
Prediction
Coach Aliyu Zubairu’s big call is whether to unleash Sani Suleiman from the start. The winger’s direct play could trouble a Saudi defence that struggled with pace down the flanks. On the right, Tahir Maigana remains Nigeria’s sharpest weapon, his left foot itching to cut inside.
If Nigeria can sharpen their finishing and connect better in attack, they should have too much firepower for the Green Falcons. But with both sides knowing defeat could mean an early exit, nerves are guaranteed. Expect tension, drama, and, if Nigeria’s luck finally turns, a crucial Flying Eagles victory.
Tip: Nigeria 2-0 Saudi Arabia