LAST-GASP GLORY ! BAMEYI'S PENALTY FIRES FLYING EAGLES PAST SAUDI ARABIA 3-2

 By Olopade Sakiru 

The Flying Eagles of Nigeria snatched a dramatic 3–2 victory over Saudi Arabia in their FIFA U-20 World Cup group F match, thanks to a nerveless injury-time penalty from captain Daniel Bameyi.

Nigeria made a dream start when Nasiru Salihu broke the deadlock in the 10th minute, finishing smartly after a flowing move. But the Saudis hit back quickly, with Yuhaybi leveling the score in the 21st minute after capitalising on a defensive lapse.

The Flying Eagles regained control as Amos  Okoche restored Nigeria’s lead in the 38th minute with a fine strike that had the Saudi goalkeeper rooted. Yet, once again, the West Africans were pegged back when Talal Haji  equalised for Saudi Arabia in the 50th , latching on to a lofted Mohammad Barnawi ball to loop a header past Ebenezer Harcourt to restore parity for the second time .

As the game headed toward a stalemate, Nigeria threw everything forward in search of a winner. Their persistence was rewarded deep into stoppage time when the referee pointed to the spot after a Saudi defender handled the ball in the box. 

The resultant penalty was  calmly   slammed home by Skipper Daniel Bameyi in the 90+4 minute to seal a dramatic win.

The result keeps Nigeria’s hopes of progressing in the tournament firmly alive and underlines their fighting spirit in the face of adversity.