Post-match: Zubairu and Bameyi react to Flying Eagles' loss to Norway in World Cup opener

The Flying Eagles were left frustrated after a narrow 1-0 defeat to Norway in their opening match of the FIFA U-20 World Cup on Monday at Estadio Fiscal in Talca, Chile. 

The match saw Norway take an early lead through Rasmus Holten, who converted a ninth-minute penalty after Daniel Bameyi was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box.

 Despite dominating possession and creating several chances, Nigeria could not find the equalizer, leaving players and coaching staff reflecting on what went wrong.

Speaking after the match, head coach Aliyu Zubairu praised his team’s effort and commitment," Zubairu told reporters after the game. 

"The boys played out their hearts. They did everything humanly possible to make sure that we win the match. 

"Even when we started all our chances, hitting the upright, hitting the bar. I don’t know we’re not lucky. The boys did well."

He also addressed the frustration of dominating possession without converting opportunities into goals. 

"Oh God. Possession doesn’t win matches. If one of the attempts we had at goal had gone into the net, probably it would have changed the situation. 

"But all the same, that is the way it comes. We have to take it that way. But the boys did well. They did well," he added.

Looking ahead, Zubairu emphasized the importance of the next group match against Saudi Arabia. 

“We are going to think about the next match against Saudi Arabia. We just have to go for the three-point at stake,."

Team captain Daniel Bameyi also shared his thoughts on the match, acknowledging the role of misfortune in the result.

"I guess the first penalty cost us and we had too many opportunities, but we had our chances. 

"I would call it hard luck because we did try our best, but sometimes it’s football and that is how it is sometimes,” Bameyi said.

He stressed the importance of regrouping and preparing for the remaining group matches. 

“We go back and prepare. We still have two matches to go. We go back, strategize, try to see our lapses, and we’ll try to work on that."

The Flying Eagles now shift their focus to their next encounter with Saudi Arabia, a match they must win to revive their campaign in the U-20 World Cup.

Wale Adejumo

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