Nigeria's performance in their opening match of the FIFA U-20 World Cup has received high praise from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Soccernet.ng reports.
The Flying Eagles secured a hard-fought victory against the debutants, Dominican Republic, with a scoreline of 2-1 at the Estadio Malvinas Mendoza.
The match began with a penalty goal from Edison Azcona of the Dominican Republic, putting the North American team in the lead after 23 minutes of play.
However, the Flying Eagles quickly regrouped and turned the game around with a stroke of luck. Guillermo de Pena's own goal levelled the score, and Samson Lawal secured the win with a well-taken strike.
While pleased with the three points, NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, expressed a desire for a more substantial victory, as goal difference could prove crucial in the tournament. Sanusi remarked, “We wanted the boys to win by a higher margin as goals advantage do matter along the line in a competition such as this.”
Looking ahead, the NFF expects tougher challenges in the next two matches. Sanusi urged the Flying Eagles to demonstrate resilience and determination, stating, “I expect the Flying Eagles to also show sterner stuff.”
Currently, Ladan Bosso's side holds the second position in Group B, with Italy leading the group after a thrilling 3-2 win over Brazil in their opening fixture.
The Flying Eagles' upcoming match against Italy on Wednesday promises to be a significant test of their abilities.
Nigeria's victory against the Dominican Republic has set a positive tone for their U-20 World Cup campaign, and fans eagerly anticipate the team's performance as they strive for further success in the tournament.
