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Norway coach wary of Flying Eagles’ physique

By Daily Sports Nigeria on September 16, 2025

Norway U-20 coach Bjørn Johansen has described Nigeria as the best physical team in their group ahead of the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The tournament will be played from September 27 to October 19. Nigeria and Norway are in Group F, where they will also face Saudi Arabia and Colombia.

Norway will participate in the U-20 World Cup for the fourth time in history.

The last time Norway participated in the World Cup was in 2019, when Manchester City striker Erling Haaland made a name for himself with nine goals in the 12-0 win over Honduras, while 1989 and 1993 are the other two years.

Ahead of their participation this year, Johansen seems to be having sleepless nights over their group opponents as Norway have never advanced from the group stage.

“It is a natural ambition, no doubt about it. There are three quite different teams in terms of style and physicality. Nigeria is the best in terms of physicality, Colombia I consider the best team, and Saudi Arabia has skills at a very high level. They are exciting opponents, but a group we can definitely advance from,” the coach said.

Nigeria and Norway will meet in the group’s first game on September 29.

The Flying Eagles departed for Chile on Sunday ahead of their 12-day final camping for the tournament.

Nigeria’s team consists of 21 players, and they will also play two friendly matches against hosts Chile and Australia before the start of the tournament.

After their game against Norway, they will face Saudi Arabia (October 2) and Colombia (October 5).

The Flying Eagles have twice finished as runners-up in the tournament’s history — the first time in 1989, when they were edged out by Portugal, and again in 2005, losing to a Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina side.

Source Punch Ng

Posted September 16, 2025