The U20 team of Nigeria yesterday secured their passage to the quarter final of the U20 World Cup with a 2-0 win over host Argentina in the round of 16, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman of our editorial team takes a look at five things that can be deduced from the game, which was decided in Nigeria’s favor with goals from Mohammed Beji and Rilwanu Haliru Sarki.

Bosso shut his critics up- Coach of the team Ladan Bosso hasn’t enjoyed the kind of backing youth team coaches in Nigeria get from football loving Nigerians. They questioned his tactics, technical know how and even players selection at any given time. However yesterday he replied with a tactical master class with players who have shown that they can make the step up to the senior national team of Nigeria in a not too distant future.

A star is born- You’ll probably have to go to 2013 at the Africa Cup of Nations if you are looking for the last time a Nigerian midfielder dominated the midfield and it was Mikel Obi . Daniel Daga of the Ladan Bosso team has so far shown that he can teach that level in the future.

In the games the team has won, he has been the one making things happen with smart position, telepathic ball distribution and well timed tackles in his role as the defensive midfielder of the team. Dominated Italy and now Brazil, a feat that can only be done by players with elite talent level. Daga is elite.

Defenders who can defend – Keeping aside the 2-0 loss against Brazil, which happened when the coach rotated his defence line. This team has shown right from the Africa Cup of Nations that they can really defend. The quartet of Daniel Bameyi, Solomon Agbalaka, Benjamin Fredrick and Abel Ogwuche have been brilliant at the back and yesterday can be said to be their main test and they passed it with flying colours.

Substitutes made the difference – Argentina will look back at the game and wondered how they lost it. For Nigeria the win was made possible by the substitutes introduced by the coach of the team Ladan Bosso. The assist for the goal was by Emmanuel Umeh, who was introduced as a substitute. Rilwanu Haliru-Sarki who got the vital second goal was also assisted by a substitute in Victor Eletu. The timing of their introduction was also spot on.

Potential Super Eagles first choice spotted – Goalkeepers are usually referred to as the last line of defence and with this Nigerian team Chijioke Anigboso has proven to be the man defined by the statement. Yesterday was another faultless display which further puts him in the frame to be the first choice goalkeeper of the senior national team of Nigeria in the future. He can even start as early as the AFCON qualifiers in June.

Head coach of the Nigeria U20 team Ladan Bosso has played down the significance of his team’s 2-0 win over host Argentina in the round of 16 of the ongoing U20 World Cup, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Bosso’s team shocked the host with goals from Mohamed Beji and Rilwanu Haliru Sarki in the 61st and 91st minute respectively. The goals came on the back of a defensive master class from his team, who were not favorites going into the game.

It was predicted that Argentina who had a 100 percent record coming into the game will be too much for the Nigerian side who were beaten by Brazil in their last group game, making them drop from first in their group to 3rd.

After the game, Bosso was asked about the importance of the win over the host and progression to the quarterfinal of the tournament. The coach narrowed the win down to the game plan he had for the game terming the result as nothing spectacular to him.

“We had a game plan against Argentina and we stuck to it. Beating Argentina is no big deal”, he said. He further said they will approach each game differently depending on the strength and weakness of the opponents.

” No two games is the same. We have to wait to see who we are facing before deciding on how to play. Every game has it’s own approach, tactics and formation. For now we just want to live in the moment and enjoy the joy of making it to the quarter final.

Damian Waziri

The coach of the U20 team of Argentina Javier Mascherano said his team failed to beat Nigeria because of the fact that the African side were better than his team in key moments of the game.

Mascherano and his boys were sent packing from the tournament after losing 0-2 to Nigeria in yesterday’s round of 16 game at the ongoing U20 World Cup. They were humbled by the Nigerian team in front of their home fans who came out in their numbers.

Asked what went wrong with his team, the former Barcelona and Liverpool midfielder said his team gave all they could to win but the Nigerian team were up to whatever that was thrown at them.

“I knew that it would cost us if we were careless and that penalised us a lot. The team tried and the boys left everything. The guys have to try and lift their heads up and continue with their clubs. In this game, merit has nothing to do with the result. It hurts our soul. We did everything to try and continue in the tournament”, he said at the post match conference

“Football is like this. At times it gives you and at other times it takes away. Today was that situation and you have to congratulate Nigeria, they deserve to win .We showed calmness to play and we played the match we had to play but it didn’t give”, he ended his take on the game.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

The Nigeria U20 team has provided the major upset of the ongoing U20 World Cup by beating the tournament host Argentina 2-0 in the round of 16, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Ibrahim Mohammed Beji and Rilwanu Haliru Sarki got the goals that ensured that the boys of coach Ladan Bosso seal a spot in the quarter final of the tournament at the expense of the host.

OwnGoalNigeria.com editor in chief Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman rates the players on parade for Nigeria in the game.

Chijioke Anigboso – The Ukraine bound goalkeeper exhibits confidence that belies his age. As the last man in the Nigerian set up he stood tall on numerous occasions to ensure that Argentina didn’t get the opener or a way back, when Nigeria got ahead ….. 8/10

Daniel Bameyi – Argentina had no joy trying to play through his zone. Covered the centre backs well and was very careful not to give out a foul or lost possession around the box of Nigeria. A very solid showing….. 7/10

Solomon Agbalaka – Had a torrid time early in the game with Argentina targeting him but he grew into the game in the second half. Had his hands full hence couldn’t join the attack. He stuck to his task and made the team balanced….. 7/10

Abel Ogwuche – Another game where he showed his class and potential. Solid in the air, bullish in tackle and comfortable in possession. Argentina couldn’t get anything past him and his partner Benjamin Fredrick….. 8/10

Benjamin Fredrick – Again he was the difference maker in the defence with ten clearances and won the ball more than any Nigerian player in the game. Aerially he was dominant and the way he reads and intercept play isn’t something you see from an 18 year old. He was simply majestic on his return to the team….. 9/10

Daniel Daga – A potential candidate for the award of player of the tournament. Shielded the defence really well and picked out passes from tight corners with ease. He is without a doubt the heartbeat of this team…..9.5/10

Tochukwu Nnadi- Always wants to play forward even when he is under pressure. By a country mile the best player on the pitch for Nigeria in the first half. Put in a very good shift defensively in the second half….. 8.5/10

Samson Lawal – Acted as the link between defence and attack and he didn’t disappoint. Covered a lot of grounds and was very key to nullifying the live wire of Argentina Federico Redondo. Didn’t stop running for the entire duration of the game….. 7.5/10

Jude Sunday – A below par performance from the quick forward who usually drives the team. Did a job defensively but offensively looked very unsure with and without the ball. Got hooked after the break….. 6/10

Mohammed Ibrahim – Took the opener really well and was very involved in helping the team defend to protect their lead. His best performance of the tournament so far….. 7/10

Salem Fago Lawal – Ran his socks off for the team but was indecisive in several key moments. Hold up play is a beauty to see, he however didn’t carry a threat which affected the team until he was subbed off….. 6/10

Substitutes:

Emmanuel Umeh – His introduction turned the game in favor of Nigeria. Created the first goal and took the game to Argentina which unsettled their defence. He really changed the tide of the game….. 7.5/10

Rilwanu Haliru Sarki – Eager to get on the ball and use his pace, tricks and skills to good effect. Helped out in defence as well and his header off a ball from fellow substitute Eletu sealed the win for Nigeria….. 7.5/10

Victor Eletu – Bagged the assist for the second goal using his strength and eyes for a pass. A very disciplined performance as he sacrificed a lot of his individual abilities to help the team see out the win….. 7/10

The Nigeria U20 team has provided the major upset of the ongoing U20 World Cup by beating the tournament host Argentina 2-0 in the round of 16, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

As expected, the host came flying out from the start in search of an early goal but despite their loads of possession, they failed to create any meaningful opening with Nigeria defending really well.

Argentina went into the break as the better team and the more likely to score. However the second half saw a total turnaround for the Nigerian team who were battle ready and winning all of the 50-50 duels and pushed for a goal as well.

Coach Ladan Bosso threw in Emmanuel Umeh for Salem Fago Lawal and the Botev Plodiv of Bulgaria forward instantly took the game to the host and his industrious act was rewarded when his ball over the top fell nicely for Ibrahim Mohammed Beji who strike home to give Nigeria the lead in the 61st minute.

That goal sparked the host and they instantly went in search of a leveller, which almost came from the restart but the defence of Nigeria held on not only for that moment, but also for the duration of regulation time.

One minute into the eight minutes that was added on after regulation time. Two substitutes combined to put the game to bed for Nigeria. Victor Eletu held off his man and threaded the ball for Haliru Sarki who powered home with a diving header.

Nigeria hung on for a memorable win and a spot in the quarter final of the tournament , much to the disappointment of the over 27,000 spectators who came to cheer the host.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Nigeria have won the race for the international future of 15 year old Gambian born Ebrima Manneh who has decided to pledge his allegiance to Nigeria ahead of the country of his birth, OwnGoalNigeria.comreports.

Born to a Nigerian father and a Gambian mother, Manneh made his international bow for Nigeria yesterday at the U16 Dream Cup International tournament in Japan, where he played in their opening 1-0 loss to Netherlands.

Manneh came to Nigeria two years ago and joined Abuja based academy Hype Buzz (HB) Academy, where he got the attention of the national team selectors of the Nigeria U15 who were then in camp ahead of their trip to Japan.

His father now lives in France while his mother is still in the Gambia and according to Modou Lamin (@Modoubeyai) the teen sensation believed he made the right decision to commit to Nigeria at a young age.

In a series of post on his Twitter handle, Beyai said the Manneh believed playing for Nigeria will give him the platform to achieve his goals in football, terming his inclusion in the Nigerian team as a proud moment for him.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

The U20 team of Nigeria will head into today’s round of 16 game of the U20 World Cup in a state of uncertainty after not being able to train on the pitch, where the game will take place, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

Ladan Bosso led team arrived in San Juan for the game yesterday ahead of the game today by 10pm Nigerian team. The players who were meant to wait at the airport for nine hours were exhausted upon arrival.

According to a Twitter handle dedicated to news around Argentina football @Golazoargentino, the move seems to be planned to deny the Nigerians any form of comfort ahead of the game today against the host.

Nigeria’s under-20s found their flight to San Juan delayed by 9 hours and so missed training ahead of the last 16 clash with Argentina

Welcome to South America

— GOLAZO (@golazoargentino) May 31, 2023

He suggested that it’s a common thing with teams in South America. It means the Nigerian team are already fighting a battle off the pitch before the main battle comes up at the Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario.

Mohammed Mowiz

Our of favour Nigeria international winger Childera Ejuke is facing a dilemma over his next career destination with relegated German side Hertha Berlin turning down the option of signing him permanently after his loan spell, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Ejuke used the FIFA escape clause for players playing in Russia to leave CSKA Moscow due to the war and joined Hertha Berlin in the summer but the move didn’t work out for both parties with the Nigerian struggling for form and fitness, no thank to an injury that kept him out for three months.

The 25 year old ended the season without a goal from the 20 games he played in the league and had just three assists. He was even criticised by the coach of the team over his style of play saying he dribbles without any aim to help the team.

It didn’t come as a surprise when the club upon relegation decided not to sign him permanently, leaving him with no option but a return to Russian side CSKA Moscow, where he had to battle his way through a court case before getting his wish to leave on loan.

Fans of the club were furious with the winger, who granted an interview shortly after his departure where he said he left Russian league for the good of his career, praising the German League as a league that is befitting for his career growth.

That statement has pitched him against the fans of CSKA Moscow making a potential return almost impossible, which might mean heading out to another team when the transfer window opens in June, as fans on the team have voiced their displeasure with his proposed return on their fans forum.

Daniel Martins

The champions of the Italian Serie A Napoli have started plans towards strengthening their team for next season by identifying players in key areas after what has been a really good season for the club.

Napoli were crowned champions of the Italian league for the first time in 33 years. A feat they are so keen to match next season and possibly go a step further in the UEFA Champions League after the disappointment of losing out in the semi-final this season.

Despite the departure of coach Luciano Spalletti, the hierarchy of the club are still going ahead with plans for next season while negotiations on who will lead the team is also going on.

Nigeria international midfielder Wilfred Ndidi is high on their priority list in the midfield department. The Nigerian will be available on a cheap price with a year left on his deal and also the relegation of Leicester City from the English Premier League.

According to online French publication Footmercato, an approach for the 26 year old will be finalized in the coming days with Napoli willing to place a bid of €10m for his signing. The only likely stumbling block could be his high wage based on what he is earning at Leicester City.

Daniel Martins

The coach of the U20 team of Argentina Javier Mascherano is confident that his team will defeat Nigeria in today’s U20 World Cup round of 16 game, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Nigeria will be up against Argentina, who didn’t qualify for the tournament but were drafted in as host after FIFA decided to strip the hosting right off Indonesia, over their refusal to recognize one of the competing nations Israel as a country.

Argentina have responded by winning all three of their group games and head into this game in full confidence, while Nigeria will be looking to bounce back from a 0-2 defeat suffered in their final group game against Brazil.

That defeat suffered by the Nigerian team has exposed some flaws of the Nigerian team according to Mascherano, who said the way Nigeria started the tournament with wins over Dominican Republic and Italy respectively looked perfect until that game.

” They started very well with two impressive wins but in the last game they lost, we saw a thing or two tactically that we will try to take advantage of when we meet them , but we know they will fight and run with speed and skills. So we also have to be ready to fight”, he said ahead of the game.

Osas Mahawi