Coach of the Nigeria U20 team Aliyu Zubairu has explained the reason behind his team’s opening game loss to Norway at the ongoing U20 World Cup in Chile, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

A 9th minute goal from Rasmus Holten ensured that Norway get their campaign at the ongoing U20 World Cup off to a flying start with a 1-0 win over Nigeria.

Nigeria dominated the game especially the second half, but crucially failed to get a goal that would have seen them pick a point that their efforts deserved.

Speaking after the game, the coach lamented the disallowed goal his team scored and also the fact that they were unlucky to convert the numerous chances that came their way during the game.

“It was hard luck. We created several scoring chances and even had a goal disallowed — if that had stood, the game could’ve been different. But that’s football. Possession doesn’t win games; taking chances does, and we failed to do that”, he explained at the post match conference.

“Now, our focus is on the next match against Saudi Arabia where we’ll fight for all 3 points.”

Ade Emmanuel

A 9th minute goal from Rasmus Holten ensured that Norway get their campaign at the ongoing U20 World Cup off to a flying start with a 1-0 win over Nigeria.

Nigeria dominated the game especially the second half, but crucially failed to get a goal that would have seen them pick a point that their efforts deserved.

We pick five players who stood out for the Nigerian team in the game.

Tahir Maigana – The 17 year old was by far the best player on the pitch for both teams with his deft touches, passes and the manner which he get past his marker with ease. Created so many goal scoring opportunities and was a constant menace to the defence of Norway.

Amos Ochoche – A marauding right back who combined his foray upfront with a solid job in defence. Had to shake off the ball and also very good in one against one challenges. Unfortunate to be on the losing side.

Sani Suleiman – His introduction sparked the Nigerian team to life. He was clever in tight spaces moved the ball a lot quicker making it hard to the low block of Norway to come close. Should have started on the strength of his performance.

Ahmed Akinyele – Solid as a centre back both in the air and also on the ground. Loves to play the ball at his feet and carried it really well. Make a fantastic headed clearance from a shot that would have troubled the goalkeeper.

Salihu Nasiru- He had a first half to forget but dominated the midfield until he was replaced in a tactical swoop. Uses the ball very well with both feet and he isn’t scared of letting it fly from range.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

The Flying Eagles were unlucky to lose 0-1 to Norway in their opening match of the 24th FIFA U20 World Cup finals on Monday despite dominating play and creating a hatful of chances, particularly in the second period.

Norway went ahead after they were awarded a contested penalty in the 9th minute, but the Flying Eagles fought hard to redeem things, only to be denied penalty awards on two occasions in the second half.

Kparobo Arierhi’s left-footed shot inside the box drifted just wide in the 47th minute, with the goalkeeper completely beaten, and in the 63rd minute, Tahir Maigana’s left-footed shot inside the box was stopped by the base of the upright.

The two-time silver medallists launched onslaught after onslaught against the Europeans, but Norway had too many players behind the ball in the box and foiled dozens of attempts.

In the 71st minute, the crowd rose to cheer the equalizer, but midfielder Nasiru Salihu’s rising shot from the right rose a little too high, beating the goalkeeper and the crossbar.

Seven minutes from time, the tireless Tahir Maigana cocked the trigger from afar, only to see his effort miss the target narrowly.

The Flying Eagles will take on Saudi Arabia in their second match of the competition on Thursday.

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned the South African Football Association (SAFA) for having fielded an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in the South Africa v. Lesotho match played on 21 March 2025 in the FIFA World Cup 2026™™ preliminary competition, thereby breaching article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC) and article 14 of the FIFA World Cup 2026™™ Preliminary Competition Regulations.

Consequently, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has declared the match in question to have been forfeited by the representative team of South Africa by a score of 3-0.

SAFA has also been ordered to pay a fine of CHF 10,000 to FIFA, while Teboho Mokoena has been issued with a warning.

The parties were notified of the terms of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee’s decision today. In accordance with the relevant provisions of the FDC, they have ten days in which to request a motivated decision, which, if requested, would subsequently be published on legal.fifa.com. The forfeiture decision remains subject to a potential appeal before the FIFA Appeal Committee.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed that the senior national team of Nigeria will play two friendly games in November during the international window, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

NFF made this known through their official media channel that the want will be up against Venezuela and Colombia respectively in two games that will take place in the United States of America.

“The Nigeria Football Federation hereby confirms that the senior men national team, Super Eagles, will take on Venezuela and Colombia in the United States of America during the FIFA window for international friendly matches in the month of November 2025”, the announcement reads.

The game against Venezuela will be on Friday, 14th November 2025 at the Shell Stadium in Houston, Texas, with kick-off billed for 8pm Texas time.

On Tuesday, 18th November 2025, the three-time African champions will confront the Los Cafeteros of Colombia at the Citi Field Stadium in Flushing Meadows, borough of Queens, New York with kick-off billed for 8pm Eastern Time(1am Wednesday, 19th November in Nigeria).

Both games will be used as tune up for the Super Eagles ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations, which begins in December in Morocco.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle has officially sent out letter of provisional invitation to players who will be part of the team for the final round of games in the world cup qualifiers in October.

Nigeria will be up against Lesotho and Benin Republic respectively in their final two games of the world cup qualifiers, where they will be pushing for a win in both games to keep their hope of making at least the play off spot of the world cup alive.

Chelle is optimistic of a positive result and has gone for the best players available to prosecute both games, and he also made a bold decision to leave out some players who were part of the team for the last round of games.

The coach dropped new Panathinaikos forward Cyriel Dessers with Nice forward Terem Moffi taking his spot in attack. There is also a return for FC Porto defender Zaidu Sanusi.

Meanwhile, among the players who were invited to the team for the first time is Serie A midfielder Ebenezer Akinsamiro who is on loan to Pisa from Inter Milan. He was the man of the match in the 0-0 draw against Fiorentina yesterday.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

The race for glory in Nigeria’s biggest amateur football tournament, the 1xCup 2025, has intensified after a dramatic quarter-final stage produced four new semi-finalists and some of the most gripping moments of the competition https://1xbet.ng/ so far.

Matches played on September 23 and 24 delivered everything from nail-biting penalty shootouts and stunning comebacks to crowd trouble and a tale of resilience, setting the stage for an unpredictable run-in to the final.

The semi-finals, scheduled for October 6, will see Nath Boys FA face Ikorodu City FA, while ISGAT clash with Dosu Joseph FC, guaranteeing a fresh face will lift the trophy this year following a complete shake-up of last season’s top four.

The quarter-final clash between Nath Boys FA and Emaljus FC was a tense battle of wits and defensive discipline that ended 0-0 in regulation time before being decided by the slimmest of margins in a dramatic penalty shootout.

The shootout reflected that same precision, with both teams converting their first six kicks flawlessly.

But the deadlock finally broke when an Emaljus player faltered from the spot, handing Nath Boys a 7-6 victory and a place in the semi-finals.

The result marked a shift in approach for Nath Boys, who had dazzled in the group stage with free-flowing, high-scoring football.

This time, they demonstrated grit and pragmatism to knock out Emaljus — last season’s third-place finishers — and keep their championship hopes alive.

Ikorodu City FA also booked their place in the last four spot after a 2-0 win over Community Gunners FC in a quarter-final that had both thrilling football and unwanted controversy.

Building on their solid defensive performances from the group stage — where they conceded just once in four games — Ikorodu City stifled the Gunners’ attacking threats and took control of the match early on. Quick and incisive play down the wings led to two well-taken goals in the first half, putting them firmly in the last four.

In one of the most dramatic games of the round, ISGAT mounted a stunning comeback to defeat Vinmo Energy FA 2-1, overturning an early setback to advance to the semi-finals.

ISGAT were stunned just two minutes into the game when a defensive lapse allowed Vinmo to take the lead. But instead of crumbling, they regrouped and returned a different side after the break.

Their second-half transformation was remarkable — two goals in the space of three minutes turned the match on its head, with both strikes preceded by exquisite assists that were as memorable as the finishes themselves.

The comeback not only sealed their passage to the last four but also marked ISGAT as one of the most resilient teams in this year’s competition.

The final quarter-final fixture between Dosu Joseph FC edge Inspire Sports Academy (ISA) 1-0 in a closely contested encounter defined by narrow margins and unrelenting determination.

Despite a flurry of attacking chances from both sides, the breakthrough did not come until the 72nd minute, when Dosu Joseph capitalised on a rare opportunity to score the decisive goal.

The win was particularly poignant for the team, who began their 1xCup 2025 campaign with two defeats but have since authored one of the tournament’s most compelling redemption stories.

The semi-final lineup of Nath Boys FA, Ikorodu City FA, ISGAT, and Dosu Joseph FC represents a complete turnover from the 2024 edition, underlining the competitive balance and unpredictability that make the 1xCup such a compelling tournament.

With none of last year’s semi-finalists returning to the final four, the door is wide open for a new champion to emerge when the tournament resumes on October 6. Teams are already analysing their opponents and fine-tuning tactics for the decisive clashes.

Fans eager to follow the latest news, statistics, and stories from the competition can visit the official website 1xcup.ng for comprehensive coverage, including match previews, team profiles, and opportunities to engage with the tournament through the 1xBet platform.

As the countdown begins to the semi-finals, one thing is certain: 1xCup 2025 is delivering football drama at its finest — and the battle for Nigeria’s most coveted amateur crown is far from over.

Head coach of German Bundesliga side Werder Bremen Horst Steffen has played down reports that he is unhappy with Nigeria international forward Victor Boniface over his activities on social media, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Reports in Germany says he was summoned by the coach to explain a post he made on social media advising men to have more than one girlfriend depending on circumstances. The post was said to have drawn the attention of the club.

Speaking ahead of today’s game against Bayern Munich, Steffen said there isn’t any substance to the report insisting that he is in good terms with the 24 year old and love his sense of humour.

“I’ve come to know him as a very likeable person; he’s very personable, approachable, and dedicated to the team,” the 56-year-old told the Süddeutsche Zeitung.

“We laugh a lot together; I think it’s nice when a player has such a sense of humor and shows such joy. He’s fit right into our group. I don’t know what others say or how it was elsewhere,” he concluded.

Boniface who is on loan to the club from Bayer Leverkusen started his stint with an assist in the 4-0 win over Borussia Monchengladbach, but failed to match it against Freiburg where they were beaten 3-0.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman