Nigeria’s Flying Eagles kicked off their preparations for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup with a 1-1 draw against hosts Chile in an international friendly played on Saturday in Rancagua.
The encounter, the first of two scheduled tune-up games before the tournament begins on September 27 in Santiago, saw the Nigerians take an early lead through defender Ahmed Akinyele. The Remo Stars star headed home Tahir Maigana’s corner in the 18th minute to put the visitors in front.
Chile hit back in the 36th minute when Felipe Faúndez calmly slotted past goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt to level the score. Harcourt kept Nigeria in the contest after the break with two crucial saves, while Coach Aliyu Zubairu made several substitutions, introducing Abduljelil Kamaldeen, Kparobo Arhieri, and Auwal Ibrahim in search of a winner. The game, however, ended all square.
The match formed part of Nigeria’s 12-day training camp in Chile, which commenced after their departure from Abuja last Sunday. The team will next face Australia in their second warm-up clash on Tuesday.
Zubairu has named a 21-man squad for the campaign, mixing foreign-based talents with home-based players. Only eight members of the bronze-winning side from the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year made the final cut.
The Flying Eagles, seven-time African champions, will contest Group F of the World Cup, with all matches taking place at the Estadio Fiscal in Talca, about 250 kilometres from Santiago. Their group stage fixtures pit them against Norway on September 29, Saudi Arabia on October 2, and Colombia on October 5.
Nigeria, who were runners-up in 1989 and 2005 remains in pursuit of their first-ever U-20 World Cup crown.
