The Flying Eagles of Nigeria sealed their first win of the U-20 FIFA World Cup against Saudi Arabia at the Estadio Fiscal de Talca in Chile, Soccernet.ng reports.
Aliyu Zubairu’s side suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Norway in the opening fixture of Group F, and needed a win against Saudi to secure any hopes of advancing to the knockout stage of the tournament.
Nigeria took the lead twice, but the Middle Eastern side levelled the scores accordingly, before a 94th minute spot kick from Daniel Bameyi sealed all three points for the 14-time U-20 World Cup participants.
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Here’s how the Flying Eagles rated in the encounter:
Ebenezer Ifeanyi Harcourt (6.3/10)
The Sporting Lagos Academy goalkeeper didn’t have his best game. He could’ve done better to deny the Saudi Arabians of the two goals they scored, and will need to be more decisive in his actions.
Thanks to the crossbar, he didn’t concede more than two goals.
Amos Ochoche (7/10)
The right-back scored an audacious chip off a well-exeted set-piece opportunity by the Flying Eagles.
The 19-year-old was decent defensively, but his technical skill set when bombing forward will be one to watch in the coming years.
Akinyele Ahmed (5.6/10)
The Remo Stars defender didn’t have the best game against the Saudi Arabians. He miscalculated two aerial balls from the opposition and both these opportunities led to the two goals NIgeria conceded. Akinyele was replaced by Haruna Aliyu on the hour mark.
Daniel Kolocho Bameyi (7.1/10)
While his defensive partner didn’t make things easy for him at the back, Bameyi’s long balls from the back created two chances for the Flying Eagles in attack.
His composure to keep his nerves to tuck his penalty away in the 94th minute further solidified why he’s the captain of this young team.
Odinaka Okoro (7.6/10)
Lively in offence, solid in defence. The Sporting Lagos left-back was simply unplayable against Saudi Arabia.
He was not beaten by an opposition attacker at any point in the game. Okoro won 92% of the duels he engaged in and all of the tackles he went into, leaving no stone unturned, as he had an attempt on goal as well.
Daniel Daga (6.7/10)
Daga’s physicality came in handy for Nigeria in the middle as he won duels against the Saudi midfielders, forcing them to play the ball long. The Molde man also had two attempts on goal, but narrowly missed.
Israel Isaac Ayuma (6.5/10)
Like Daga, the 20-year-old put in a solid shift in midfield but didn’t particularly stand out in a scrappy midfield battle. He did come close to finding the back of the net, and should’ve done better with the chance he got.
Tahir Maigana (6.5/10)
It wasn’t the best game of the tournament for Maigana as the Saudi full-backs were sturdy in defense. However the work rate of 17-year-old cannot be faulted and he’ll have better games.
Sani Suleiman (6.9/10)
The former Akwa United man played off the left and provided the assist for Salihu Nasiru’s brilliant header, leading to the opening goal. He was a constant threat on the flank, but was withdrawn in the 86th minute and replaced by Orseer Achichi.
Kparobo Nathaniel Ariehri (5.9/10)
It wasn’t the best night for the Mjondalen forward as he was withdrawn on the hour mark. Ariehri simply didn’t put on his scoring boots today as he missed four good chances.
Salihu Nasiru (7.7/10)
The 19-year-old’s positioning and composure to break the deadlock was timely. His brilliant pass blindsided the Saudi defenders as he set up the second goal for Amos Ochoche. He was withdrawn in the 71st minute by Emmanuel Ekele.
Substitutes
Agada Charles (6.4/10)
Charles came on to replace Kparobo Ariehri and immediately made his impact felt, mustering four attempts on target. However, he could’ve been more clinical.
Aliyu Haruna (6.7/10)
The Wikki Tourists’ defender came on in the 60th minute to replace Akinyele Ahmed. The 19-year-old helped keep things tight at the back as the Saudi side barely had an attempt on goal after he came on.
Emmanuel Ekele (6/10)
The 20-year-old midfielder came on in the 71st minute, replacing Salihu Nasiru, but struggled to match the pace of the game.
Orseer Achichi and Alatan Azuka both came on in the 86th minute, but didn’t have enough time to do anything worthwhile in the game.