Flying Eagles forward, Suleiman Sani, has hailed his teammates for their resilience after a 1-1 draw with Colombia secured Nigeria’s progression to the round of 16 at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile.
Sani, who has been one of the standout performers for the team, admitted the game was difficult but credited the squad’s belief and teamwork. “It was not an easy match. Colombia are strong, but we believed in ourselves and fought for the result we needed,” he said.
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The AS Trencin striker expressed disappointment over missing the next round due to yellow-card accumulation but maintained full confidence in his teammates. “Of course, I’m sad I won’t play the next match, but I trust my brothers. We’ve come too far to stop now,” he said.
Reflecting on the group stage, Sani highlighted the players’ mentality as a key factor behind their success. “We have no fear. We respect every opponent, but we play with confidence. That’s what makes this team special,” he explained.
The forward also praised coach Aliyu Zubairu for his leadership and tactical adjustments. “The coach told us to stay calm and believe in our plan. When we pressed them in the second half, it worked perfectly,” Sani said.
Though sidelined for the next match, Sani vowed to continue motivating the team from the bench. “I’ll cheer louder than anyone. We’re all in this together. Our dream is to go all the way,” he added with determination.
As Nigeria prepares for their round-of-16 clash, the Flying Eagles’ collective unity — even from those forced to watch — could prove to be their greatest strength.
