Flying Eagles Star Dedicates Goal Against Argentina To President Tinubu

On Jun 2, 2023

Flying Eagles midfielder, Ibrahim Muhammad, has dedicated the team’s round of 16 victory over Argentina at the ongoing U-20 World Cup to the newly elected president of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu.

Muhammad scored Nigeria’s opening goal at the Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario in the 61st minute as Nigeria qualified for the quarter-finals of the competition for the first time in 12 years.

A fine pass from Emmanuel Umeh found Muhammad, who slotted home a low shot past goalkeeper Federico Gerth.

In additional time, substitute Victor Eletu, who came off the bench for Muhammad, provided an assist for Haliru Sarki to score Nigeria’s second goal of the encounter and secure a famous triumph for the two-time Africa champions.

Speaking after the game, the midfielder dedicated the win to Tinubu who last Monday was inaugurated as the president of Nigeria.

“I feel so happy with the first goal and victory and as you can see this is my first at the World Cup, which makes me very happy,” he said.

“Before the game, I wasn’t nervous about playing against the host nation. I and the team felt comfortable and confident and that is how football should be.

“Winning against the host country isn’t easy and we want to dedicate the victory and the goal I scored to our president Bola Tinubu and I also thank my teammates for the efforts.”

Nigeria’s win on Thursday ended a run of 10 straight U-20 World Cup victories for Argentina. The young La Abliceleste had won all seven games when they hosted the tournament in 2001, and their first three at this edition.

The Flying Eagles will face either Ecuador or South Korea in the quarter-final of the competition in Santiago del Estero on Sunday.