Nigeria’s Flying Eagles booked their place in the Round of 16 at the ongoing FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile after holding Colombia to a 1-1 draw in Talca.
The seven-time African champions put up a spirited display at the Estadio Fiscal de Talca, showing resilience and character to come from behind and secure the crucial point that ensured their passage to the knockout stage.
Goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt was Nigeria’s hero, pulling off two vital saves in the 23rd and 26th minutes to keep the South Americans at bay.
Despite Colombia’s pressure, the Flying Eagles remained the more adventurous side, with Tahir Maigana, Kparobo Arierhi, and Suleman Sani constantly threatening and even hitting the woodwork on a couple of occasions.
Colombia took the lead six minutes after the restart when Kener Gonzalez tucked home from a Neyser Villareal assist. But the Flying Eagles refused to back down, pushing forward in search of an equaliser.
Defender Odinaka Okoro came close in the 76th minute but saw his header from Maigana’s cross parried by the Colombian goalkeeper.
Nigeria’s persistence eventually paid off four minutes from time. After a Maigana effort was handled in the box, captain Daniel Bameyi calmly converted the resulting penalty, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to level the scores.
The Flying Eagles nearly snatched all three points in the dying minutes, but Arierhi’s effort was blocked inside the crowded area.
With the result, Nigeria advance to face six-time world champions Argentina in Wednesday’s Round of 16 clash at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos in Santiago — a rematch of their famous quarter-final meeting the last time Argentina hosted the tournament, which Nigeria won 2-0 in San Juan.
In other pairings, Colombia will take on South Africa, while Norway face Paraguay in the knockout stage.
(Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe)
