U20 World Cup: Nigeria Targets Opening Win Against Norway

Nigeria U20 coach Aliyu Zubairu aims to beat Norway in their opening Group F match at the 2025 U20 World Cup in Chile.

The Flying Eagles will face Norway on 29 September 2025 at 20:00 GMT at the Estadio Fiscal De Talca Stadium.

Nigeria also faces Saudi Arabia and Colombia in the group, but Zubairu believes starting strong will boost their qualification chances.

“We prepared well. The first match is always crucial because a win builds confidence and strengthens our position in the tournament,” he said in his pre-match press conference.

He urged his players to stay focused and approach the match with maximum intensity to secure an early advantage.

Nigeria studied Norway carefully using video footage to understand their style and tactics ahead of the clash.

“We know our opponents well. We watched many of their matches and analyzed their strengths and weaknesses.”

The coaching team integrated those insights into training sessions to help players adapt to Norway’s style of play.

Zubairu stressed the importance of mental readiness and wants his squad to show discipline and aggression from the first whistle.

“Our plan is clear. We must fight hard, press high, and control the tempo to secure three points,” he added.

Nigeria hopes a victory in the opening game will set the tone for a strong campaign in Chile.

The Flying Eagles aim to go deep into the tournament and bring the U20 World Cup trophy back home.

A positive result against Norway would send a message to Group F rivals and boost team morale for the remaining matches.

Nigeria fans expect an intense, fast-paced performance as the team looks to start their World Cup journey with a vital win.