Nigeria’s U‑20 side, the Flying Eagles, will take on Australia in a friendly match in Santiago as part of their last preparations ahead of the 24th FIFA U‑20 World Cup. The encounter is scheduled for Tuesday, at Complejo Deportivo Ruca Mapu, with kick‑off at 5pm local (Chile) time, which corresponds to 1pm in Nigeria.
Lead‑Up and Recent Results
Before facing Australia, the Flying Eagles drew 1–1 with Chile in Rancagua. Ahmed Akinyele gave Nigeria the lead in the 18th minute, but Chile equalised through Felipe Faúndez just before halftime. Nigeria are using this friendly to fine‑tune their squad’s shape, fitness, and mental sharpness ahead of the World Cup, which kicks off 27 September in Chile.
Squad Composition and Key Absences
Head coach Aliyu Zubairu has named his final 21-man squad for the tournament, with a mix of home-based and Europe-based players. However, the team will miss Emmanuel Chukwu and Precious Benjamin of Hoffenheim, and Ibrahim Hafiz of Stade de Reims, as their clubs declined to release them.
Retained in the squad are key players like goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt, captain Daniel Bameyi, Odinaka Okoro, and midfielders Israel Ayuma and Daniel Daga, who both play in Europe.
Players to Watch
Here are some of the standout names expected to make a big impact:
| Player | Role / Club | Why to Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Ebenezer Harcourt (GK) | Sporting Lagos | The young keeper has drawn attention for composure, good shot stopping, and handling pressure in previous tournaments. |
| Daniel Bameyi (Defender & Captain) | Bayelsa United | Brings leadership and defensive solidity. He’s one of the more experienced ones in the backline. |
| Israel Ayuma (Midfielder) | NK Istra (Croatia) | Adds European experience, ability to control tempo, and distribute in midfield. |
| Daniel Daga (Midfielder) | Molde FC, Norway | Strong engine, transition play, tactical awareness. Will be central to linking defense and attack. |
| Kparobo Nathaniel Arierhi (Forward) | Lillestrøm SK (Norway) | Brings physical presence up front, plus ability to convert chances and bring others into play. |
Stakes and What is Needed
- Tactical Refinement: Coach Zubairu wants the team to blend defensive discipline with attacking threat. The friendly against Australia will test systems under pressure.
- Squad Unity: With some players missing, those selected need to step up. The match offers fringe and less experienced players the chance to stake a claim for starting roles.
- Momentum and Confidence: The draw vs Chile showed promise, but the expectation is the team use every match to build belief. The Flying Eagles don’t just want to participate. They want to compete.
Group Stage Focus: Nigeria are in Group F at the World Cup, facing Norway, Saudi Arabia, and Colombia. Strong showings in these friendlies are essential to setting a positive tone.
What to Watch in the Match vs Australia
Whether the starting XI will include overseas‑based players to test cohesion.
How the Flying Eagles cope with Australia’s style. Expected to be physical, fast, good at transitions.
Who steps up to score or create during key moments. Akinyele has shown promise; forwards like Arierhi will likely get attention.
Defensive resilience, especially from the backline (Bameyi, Okoro, etc.) and goalkeeper Harcourt. Clean sheets in test matches build confidence.
Nigeria go into this fixture aiming not just to warm up, but to establish momentum, clarity in roles, and confidence to enter the World Cup as a contender.
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