The stage is set for an exhilarating clash as Nigeria’s Flying Eagles begin their journey in the FIFA U-20 World Cup with an opening match against Norway’s Young Vikings on September 29, 2025, at the Estadio Fiscal de Talca in Chile. The match promises to deliver the passion, intensity, and tactical brilliance that comes with such a prestigious tournament.
This will be Nigeria’s 14th appearance in the U-20 World Cup, where the Flying Eagles have previously made a mark with two runner-up finishes in 1989 and 2005. With coach Aliyu Zubair at the helm, Nigeria’s young stars are eager to make their mark once again and take their game to the next level. The squad boasts a perfect blend of local talents and players based in Europe, with a focus on refining their attack and building a strong defense.
Norway, on the other hand, enters its fourth U-20 World Cup, seeking to break past the group stage and push for a deeper run. Under the guidance of coach Bjorn Johansen, the Young Vikings are determined to make a statement and rewrite their history with a stellar performance on the world stage.
The Flying Eagles are packed with promising talents, particularly in key areas of the field. In goal, Ebenezer Harcourt from Sporting Lagos, Clinton Ezekiel of Bayelsa United, and Rufa’i Abubakar of Mavlon FC will ensure the defense is solid. Defenders like Ocheche Amos Onyejefu (Stade de Reims, France) and Daniel Bameyi (Bayelsa United) bring valuable international experience to the backline.
The midfield is set to be a battleground with the presence of Daniel Daga from Molde FC (Norway) and Israel Ayuma from NK Istra (Croatia). Both bring a perfect mix of grit and creativity to control the game in the middle. Upfront, the Flying Eagles possess remarkable attacking talents like Achichi Oseer (Royal Antwerp, Belgium), Kparobo Arierhi (Lillestrom SK, Norway), and Sani Suleman (AS Trencin, Slovakia), all of whom have the ability to turn the tide of the game with their sharp instincts and goal-scoring prowess.
