Nigeria’s Flying Eagles defeated Saudi Arabia 3-2 in their second game at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup on Friday morning. Completesports.com’s ADEBOYE AMOSU appraises the performance of the players in the game.
Ebenezer Harcourt 7/10
The youngster put up an impressive display in the keenly contested encounter. Made a number of key saves to help his side win the game.
Amos Ochoche 7/10
The right-back scored a superb goal in the first half. Gave a good account himself.
Ahmed Akinyele 5/10
Gave the ball away cheaply a couple of times in the first half. Not a good performance from the Remo Stars defender.
Daniel Bameyi 7/10
Captain Daniel Bameyi led by example. He scored the winning goal from the penalty spot.
Odinaka Okoro 7/10
The left-back had a hand in the first goal. He performed his defensive task well, and also supported the attack.
Daniel Daga 7/10
An improved performance from the first game. He shielded the defence well, and also helped the attack.
Read Also:2025 U-20 WC: Flying Eagles Get Campaign Back On Track With Dramatic 3-2 Win Vs Saudi Arabia
Israel Ayuma 7/10
The hardworking midfielder was at his best in the game. He was one of Flying Eagles’ best performers in the game.
Nasiru Salihu 7/10
Scored Nigeria’s opening goal from a superb header. His best performance for the team.
Sani Suleiman 7/10
Provided a superb assist for the opening goal. He was a constant threat to Saudi Arabia defence.
Kparobo Ariehi 6/10
The forward was unlucky not to get a goal in the game. Ariehi was replaced by Charles Agada in the 59th minute.
Substitutes
Charles Agada 5/10
The NK Istra forward offered little after replacing the misfiring Kparobo Ariehi.
Haruna Aliyu 6/10
The centre-back helped stablise the defence after replacing Ahmed Akinyele.
Emmanuel Ekele 5/10
Made his first appearance of the competition in the game. He took place the place Nasiru Salihu 19 minutes from time.
Alatan Azuka
Not Rated
Achichi Oseer
Not Rated
4 Comments
Gave the guy that cost us the three goals 5/10, very interesting, somebody they supposed to give 1 or 2/10 because his said was the weakest link to our goal. They gave all the midfielders along the sani of a guy 7 and attackers that were never threat to Saudi goal 7/10. I wonder the criteria the rater used in rating them.
CS has more often been generous with their ratings when it comes to Nigerian teams even when we play badly.
Ratings are only low when we exit competitions as this under 20 team will soon do.
No matter how a national team disgusts me with their intrepid play, I still end up watching them – maybe due to patriotism or watching the foolery of NFF in mocking the pace and growth of our football.
Without any equivocation, glasshouse is full of sadists.
How dare we have “under 20” squad with NO PACY PLAYER, NO ONE AND WE SAY THEY ARE UNDER 20.
That team shouts old men! Old men! Old men.
How can Nigerian league where many of those players have genuine under 20 players? How?
The foreign born capture culture has ruined our grassroots football, honestly…
Dishonesty is killing our game. Let them come home jor. Small ball sense no dey.
Udeze said we need to deal with the long balls from the opponents.
We were playing long balls too that were huffs and puffs.
Abeg.
My pain is that other African nations (think Morocco) are patiently building their teams at all levels cos football is serious business.
We go play catch-up for football very soon because we are sowing incredibly bad seeds.
E go haunt us.
We keep saying there are talents scattered around.
No, look at our best 23 in the cadet teams. We set teams up for player exposure to clubs that will make them go into oblivion.
NFF, thank you. We go list una names for the chronicles of the Nigerian football failure that is inevitable.
Since the debut of MRI scans, we have not made any impact again in men’s football.
Old men are being put to shame by faster, more technically savvy opponents and we are happy to dance in circles every other year.
We have reprobate minds overseeing our football.
Honestly this is a ridiculous rating CSN. How on earth will Harcourt get 7, and others be getting 7. The game was just ridiculous to watch
“Kparobo Ariehi 6/10
The forward was unlucky not to get a goal in the game. ”
This guy needs to go practice precise shooting. Been watching from the U20 Afcon, he can have 10 shots at goal, and all 10 will either hit the crossbar or caught by the goalkeeper.
He’s wearing the No 9 shirt but hardly will you see his name among the goalscorers. A team that has a blunt pointman can hardly go far in a competition, no matter how good the defence or midfield is.