The draw ceremony for this year’s FIFA U20 World Cup finals will take place in Santiago, the capital city of Chile, on Thursday, with the event scheduled for Chilevision’s Machasa studios from 6pm Chile time (1pm Nigeria time).
Chilean journalist Javiera Naranjo will host the event. FIFA’s Director of Tournaments, Jaime Yarza will conduct the draw, to be assisted by former Argentine FIFA U20 World Cup winner and 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cup star Juan Pablo Sorin.
Nigeria is one of the four countries to fly Africa’s flag, with African U20 champions South Africa, Morocco and Egypt the others. All 24 participating nations are now known, with New Caledonia the only country that will debut at the tournament scheduled for 27th September – 19th October.
Defending champions Uruguay, who beat Italy 1-0 in the 2023 final in Buenos Aires, failed to qualify. Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and Paraguay are flying South America’s flag this time.
Argentina, 2023 hosts, have won the competition six times, though are without a trophy in the past 18 years. Brazil have won it five times.
The mention of ‘Chile’ evokes warm memories amongst Nigerians, as they remember that it was in that country, 10 years ago, that Super Eagles’ ace Victor Osimhen announced himself to the world, winning the Golden Boot for the top scorer with an awesome 10 goals and the Silver Ball for second best player as Nigeria won her fifth FIFA U17 World Cup title.
Chile has hosted other major tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup finals (in 1962), the 1987 FIFA World Youth Championship, which is now known as FIFA U20 World Cup (where Nigeria crashed out at group stage) and the 2008 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup (where the Falconets reached the quarter finals).
Matches will take place in Santiago, Rancagua, Valparaíso, Talca – all located in the centre of the country.
ALL THE FINALISTS FOR CHILE 2025
Chile, Nigeria, Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, Australia, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Korea Republic, France, Italy, Spain, Norway, Ukraine, USA, Mexico, Panama, Cuba, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, New Zealand & New Caledonia
CAF announces venues 13th Women Africa Cup of Nations
The venues that will host the 13th Women Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled for the Kingdom of Morocco, 5th – 26th July, have been unveiled. They are:
. Olympic Stadium, Rabat
. Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca
. Père Jégo Stadium, Casablanca
. El Bachir Stadium, Mohammédia
. Honor Stadium, Oujda
. Berkane Stadium, Berkane
Nigeria’s Super Falcons, nine-time champions, will play in group B of the tournament alongside Tunisia, Algeria and Botswana.
GROUP A: Morocco, Zambia, Senegal, DR Congo
GROUP B: Nigeria, Tunisia, Algeria, Botswana
GROUP C: South Africa, Ghana, Mali, Tanzania
Olowookere bemoans final loss by Team IJA, appreciates lessons learnt at Sports Festival
Head Coach Bankole Olowookere has praised the National Sports Commission and the Nigeria Football Federation for the opportunity presented to the National U17 Girls’ team, Team IJA, to feature at the 22nd National Sports Festival ongoing in Ogun State.
Olowookere’s charges, already qualified for this year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals, lost in the final of the female football event to Team Delta, after a penalty shootout that went into sudden death at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex on Tuesday evening.
“First and foremost, kudos to the NSC that invited us to participate, and also the NFF. The festival provided an opportunity for us to test some of the new players that we have scouted through local tournaments and the league as well. We were able to integrate some of them into the squad.
“Our third goalkeeper was in goal throughout and didn’t concede a single goal in regulation time throughout the festival. I commend the defenders as well.”
He attributed the defeat in the penalty shootout to inexperience on the part of the goalkeeper, who parried the ball into the net instead of parrying it away. “We have also seen that we have to train more in the area of penalty kicks, going to the World Cup.
“Sincerely, the Team IJA concept is commendable. We were also able to scout new players from some other States that featured in the female football event.”
