…Morocco vs South Korea; Colombia vs South Africa and USA vs Italy will be Very Tough.
Can the Flying Eagles of Nigeria make an encore victory over the Little Onions (one of their three nicknames) of Argentina when both will trade tackles in the Round of 16 of the U20 world Male Football cup at Pradanos, Chile on Wednesday at 8:30pm Nigerian time?
Last time both met was at the same stage of the 2023 competition hosted by Argentina when Nigeria diffused the tears absorbing Onions at San Juan before a crowd of 27,179 fans under Ref Glenn Nyberg of Sweden when Ibrahim Muhamed scored at the 61st minute and Riliwanu Sarki sealed it at 90+1 minute.
Legendary Lionel Messi had cut off the feathers of the Flying Eagles in the 2005 Finals at Utrecht, Netherlands before a crowd of 24,500 and Ref Terje Hauge of Norway when Messi scored two penalty kicks in the 40th and 75th minutes and Ogbuike scored for Nigeria in the 53rd minute for Argentina to lift the trophy. There was this International friendly played on the 27th of May 2012 where Argentina ran away with a lone goal victory.
On current form Argentina in 18 appearances, 6 times champions 1979; 1995; 1997; 2001 and back to back in 2005 and 2007 with a Silver medal in 1983 looks hotter than Nigeria with their 13 appearances brandishing two Silver medals of 1989 and 2005 as well as a Bronze in 1985.
At present Argentina had scored full 9 points winning all three matches during the group stage, scoring 8 goals and conceding 2 to top group D while Nigeria played hard to place 3rd in group F with 4 points scoring 4 goals and conceding 4. By interpretation Argentina may afflict the Flying Eagles with Onion juices to the eye as they are better at scoring goals and has a good defence that only conceded 2 goals so what can goal shy, penalty surviving Nigeria do against this Argentines?
A good total 107 goals were scored at the group stages of this 24th edition with USA accounting for 13 goals or 12.1% as highest team goals and New Caledonia accounting for 20 concessions or 18.7% from total goals scored.
Five players emerged top scorers so far with 3 goals each namely Alejo Sarco of Argentina; Gilberto Mora of Mexico; Benjamin Cremaschi of USA as well as Andrea Leborgne and Lucas Michal both of France. There were two Own Goals from Jaydeen Smith of New Zealand against Japan and Joshua Wynder of USA against South Africa.
There were two BAD BOYS who got red carded in J. Idrissou of Italy in 45+3 minute against Cuba and E. Gonzalez off Mexico against South Korea in 45+3 minute. The Yellow cards which were for cautions flew around with Paraguay getting highest 11 flashes; New Zealand 10; Italy and Brazil 7 each while Mexico, Morocco, South Korea, Ukraine and Nigeria had 6 yellows each.
Two other African countries namely Morocco and South Africa qualified for the Knockout stages while the Young Pharaohs of Egypt are out of contention.
The Round of 16 games will herald penalty shootouts when the game ends in a draw or goalless at full time and that goes on till the grand finale.
Here is the Round of 16 fixtures. All-time given are Nigerian time.
1. Chi vs Mex at Valparaiso on Tuesday at 8:30 pm.
2. Arg Vs Ngr at Santiago at 8:30 pm on Wednesday
3. Ukraine vs Spa at Valparaiso at midnight of Tuesday.
4. Col Vs South Africa at Taica at 8:30pm of Wednesday.
5. USA vs Ita at Rancagua at 8:30 pm of Thursday
6. Mar vs South Korea at Rancagua on Thursday at midnight
7. Par vs Nor at Taica at midnight of Wednesday.
8. Jap vs Fra at Santiago on Wednesday at midnight.
Here is the quarterfinal pairing
1. 1st QF: Chi/Mex vs Arg/Ngr on 11th October
2. 2nd QF: Ukr/Spa vs Col/SAF on 11th October
3. 3rd QF: USA/Ita vs Mar/Skor on 12th October
4. 4th QF: Par/Nor vs Jap/Fra on 12th October
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The two top leaders of the group automatically goes into the round of 16 matches of the Knockout stages while the 3rd placed team will compare with other 3rd place losers for the better team to join the Round of 16 stages.
The 24th edition of the world U20 male football tournament runs from Sunday 2th September to 17th October with 24 nations from six football confederations contesting in four cities of Chile.
Eniola Olatunji reporting for Patmos Media Line.
#FIFA #Chile2025U20 #CAF #EFF
#NFF #BFA #IFA.
