Nigeria’s U15 national team achieved a major milestone in Baku on Monday as the Future Eagles defeat Cyprus 2–1 to secure their first win at the 2026 FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival before drawing 1–1 with Pakistan.
Wisdom Oche and Timothy Ijach scored to give the Patrick Bassey-led Nigeria the win after falling behind to a Georgios Christodoulou goal in the 12th minute.
Future Eagles Defeat Cyprus
In the afternoon, Ijachi was again on song, against Pakistan, to bring Nigeria level in the 25th minute after the Pakistanis took the lead one minute into the second period.
The Future Eagles drew their first three matches to remain unbeaten after the group stage matches of the ongoing FIFA U15 World Cup and Festival in Baku, Azerbaijan.
On Saturday, Patrick Bassey’s charges played a 3-3 draw against South Sudan.
The Sudanese scored first before Wisdom Boniface brought Nigeria level. Sudan went ahead again, but Captain Timothy Ogar restored parity just before the end of the first half.
In the second half, Wisdom Oche put Nigeria ahead, but the Sudanese levelled less than one minute to the end of the encounter.
On Sunday morning, Nigeria and Jordan failed to score in the first period. Timothy Ogar put the Future Eagles ahead in the second period, and Jordan levelled five minutes later.
Jordan then raced into the lead before Abdulrazak Muftau made it 2-2 with the last kick of the match.
The inaugural tournament is being played in an eight-a-side format, with matches consisting of two 20-minute halves.
Group-stage performances will determine which tier each country advances to in the second stage, which will take centre stage on 28th and 29th October, while the tier finals will take place on Friday, 30th October.
The tournament is operating a no-elimination format for this inaugural edition.
