U-20 World Cup: Supporters laud Flying Eagles' victory over Argentina

Football fans in Lagos on Thursday expressed happiness over Flying Eagles 2-0 victory against hosts Argentina in the round of 16 FIFA U-20 World Cup match late on Wednesday.

They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews that the team lived up to expectations and backed the team for further victories in the tournament.

Femi Shogbesan, a football fan, said the defensive midfielders should be praised for their discipline and timely response to what Argentine threw at the team.

He said they played well and supported the defense when the occasion called for it.

“I’m really impressed, indeed this is a fantastic victory; it could have gone Argentina’s way because they also played well but lost so many scoring chances.

“Indeed, the Flying Eagles have shown that they can rise to the occasion having lost by the same margin to Brazil in their last group game,” Shogbesan said.

Funke Osisami, another football fan, said she was impressed with the victory and gave kudos to the Ladan Bosso team.

She said in most cases the team had their back against the wall and looked like they were going to crack but they pulled it off and showed their competence.

“Beating the most successful team in the tournament is no joke, and also doing it right in front of over 25,000 of their supporters is so unthinkable.

“Indeed, they were very brave and deserve a lot of accolades for their achievements so far; but they must press on and with luck on their side they might emerge victorious at the end,” Osisami said.

Tochukwu Ikemefuna, also a football fan, expressed happiness over the victory, expressing confidence that the team will win more matches.

He said he had not given the Flying Eagles any chance to beat Argentina, knowing how well the host had performed so far in the competition.

“It was a very great game, I am very excited for the boys, they gave it their best and were duly rewarded for their fantastic performance.

“The match was a thrilling match that had the substance of classic football matches. I am confident they can do more as it looks like they have so much in their tank to discharge,” Ikemefuna said.

NAN reports that that the match was keenly contested, and Flying Eagles worked their socks off to shake off Argentina.

With the first half ending scoreless, it looked like the match was going Argnetina’s way going by their quality ball control and intensity to break down the Flying Eagles.

The turn of second half saw a more determined Nigerian side matching Argentina in every department of the game, and the Flying Eagles were rewarded with two goals.

Goals scored by Ibrahim Muhammad in the 61st minute and Haliru Sarki in the 92nd minute, following splendid displays were good enough to edge out the host country.

Nigeria will now face either Ecuador or South Korea in the quarterfinal stage on Sunday, June 4.