Flying Eagles will be desperate to bounce back when they face Saudi Arabia in their second Group F clash at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, Soccernet.ng reports.
Aliyu Zubairu’s side suffered a frustrating 1–0 defeat to Norway in their opening game, conceding early through a VAR-awarded penalty before dominating large spells of the encounter without finding a breakthrough.
Despite the setback, the performance showed that Nigeria have the talent to turn things around, with several players catching the eye even in defeat.
Five Flying Eagles who could prove decisive vs Saudi Arabia
1. Kparobo Ariehri
The lively forward was unlucky not to score against Norway when his thunderous strike rattled the crossbar.
Ariehri’s ability to create chances out of nothing makes him one of Nigeria’s biggest attacking threats, and his sharp movement will be a threat to the Saudi defence.
2. Sani Suleiman
Introduced in the second half, Suleiman brought energy and direct running that troubled the Norwegians.
Sani Suleiman, Trencin formasını giyiyor.
1⃣8⃣ yaşındaki kenar oyuncusu.
Atletik, yere kuvvetli basıyor, bileklerine hakimiyeti hemen göze çarpıyor, dribblingde de tahmin edilemez biri.
Güncel düşük bütçe ile temiz komple paket potansiyelli topçuya sahip olunabilir. pic.twitter.com/IRYiamTTs4
— Hayatımız Futbol (@hayatfootball) August 31, 2025
Although he could not find the net, his impact off the bench was evident. Against Saudi Arabia, Suleiman’s creativity may be vital in tilting the balance in Nigeria’s favour.
3. Daniel Daga
The Molde FK midfielder had a mixed outing in the opener, losing possession in the first half but improving after the break.
His ability to dictate play from deep and link midfield to attack remains crucial. With Daga’s ability, the Flying Eagles will have the control needed to dominate Saudi Arabia.
4. Ebenezer Harcourt
The teenage goalkeeper could do little to stop Norway’s penalty and otherwise looked assured between the posts.
At just 15, Harcourt has already built a reputation for composure beyond his years. Against Saudi Arabia, his command of the box could make the difference in keeping Nigeria alive in the tournament.
5. Daniel Bameyi
The captain’s foul that led to the penalty against Norway was costly, but his defensive qualities are still key. Bameyi will be eager to redeem himself by marshalling the backline with more composure.
A disciplined performance from the skipper can inspire the rest of the squad to secure their first win.
