The Flying Eagles of Nigeria were knocked out of the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup on Sunday after losing 0-1 to South Korea in extra m-time after both teams failed to break the deadlock in regulation time at the Estadio Único Madre de Ciudades in the City of Santiago Del Estero.
In the first half of extra-time, South Korea’s Choi scored the back breaking goal in the fifth minute of extra-time to break the hearts of the seven-time African champions.
It will be recalled that on Thursday, South Korea edged out Ecuador 3-2 in their Round of 16 match to set up the quarterfinal clash with Nigeria who had stunned hosts and six-time champions Argentina 2-0 in their Round of 16 match on Wednesday.
The Flying Eagles who dominated proceedings through out the match were gunning for a semi-final ticket at the FIFA U20 World Cup finals for the first time since 2005.
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It will be recalled that the Flying Eagles once suffered a similar defeat in 2007 in Canada and Ladan Bosso was in charge of the team when Nigeria defeated Costa Rica and Scotland and drew with Japan to reach the Round of 16 where they overpowered Senegal 2-1 to set up the disastrous quarterfinal clash with Chile in Montreal.