Nigeria’s youth football teams were in focus this weekend as the men’s U20 Flying Eagles drew 1-1 with hosts Chile in Rancagua, while the women’s U20 Falconets prepared to face Rwanda in a crucial World Cup qualifier in Kigali.

In Rancagua, Ahmed Akinyele gave Nigeria an early lead in the 18th minute when he headed in a corner from Tahir Maigana. Chile responded in the 36th minute, with Felipe Faúndez slotting home the equaliser.

The second half began with drama as Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Ebenezer Harcourt, produced two quick saves to keep the scores level just a minute after the restart. Abduljelil Kamaldeen, Kparobo Arhieri, and Auwal Ibrahim all featured as second-half substitutes, but the Flying Eagles were unable to break the deadlock.

The match was one of Nigeria’s final tune-ups ahead of the 24th FIFA U20 World Cup finals, which begin in seven days. The team will next play Australia’s U20 side in another friendly on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, in Kigali, the Falconets are set to face Rwanda on Sunday in the second-round, first-leg qualifier for the 2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup.

Head Coach Moses Aduku said his players were ready to attack from the start. “We have had the opportunity to watch the Rwandan girls in their first-round games against Zimbabwe, and we now have an idea of how they play.

We will devise strategies to neutralize them and then go for victory,” Aduku explained.

He added that playing the first leg away from home could be an advantage. “We are happy to be playing the first leg away, but at the end, what matters is the effort put into every match, not necessarily the venue. I know the quality of players I have in my team, and I have confidence in them,” he said.

Sunday’s match will kick off at 3pm local time in Kigali (2pm Nigeria time) at the Kigali-Pele Stadium.