Nigeria’s U-20 male football team, the Flying Eagles have been drawn against five-time champions Brazil, Italy and Dominican Republic in Group D of the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
The Flying Eagles finished third at the recently concluded U-20 AFCON tournament held in Egypt. Nigeria recorded a 4-0 win against Tunisia, who also qualified for the U-20 World Cup, in the third place match.
Senegal claimed continental glory at the African tournament after beating Gambia 2-0 in the final. Both teams complete the African representatives at the biennial tournament.
ALSO READ: U-20 AFCON: Nigeria thump Tunisia 4-0 in third place match
The Cubs of Teranga will face Japan, Israel and Colombia in Group C. The Gambia battle France, Korea Republic and Honduras in Group F.
At the draw ceremony held at the FIFA House in Zurich on Friday, Nigeria was pitted in Group D. Hosts Argentina are in group A alongside New Zealand, Guatemala and Uzbekistan.
Argentina most successful team at U-20 World Cup
In the history of the U-20 World Cup, Argentina remains the most successful nation. The competition was launched in the North African nation of Tunisia in 1977.
Indeed, Argentina has won the most titles of the U-20 World Cup – six times – the last being in 2007. The South American nation also hosted the competition 22 years ago.
Interestingly, the Flying Eagles of Nigeria have finished as runners-up twice: Saudi Arabia in 1989 and Netherlands in 2005. The Nigerian side were bronze medalists in the USSR in 1985.
In the 2005 U-20 World Cup, Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, narrowly beat the Flying Eagles 2-1 in the final. Nigeria paraded the likes of Chinedu Obasi Ogbuke, who scored Nigeria’s only goal, Taye Taiwo and John Obi Mikel.
Messi scored both goals for Argentina, the two goals being spot kicks.
ALSO READ: The secret behind Senegal’s continental football dominance
FIFA announce Argentina new hosts
Meanwhile, FIFA have handed the tournament’s hosting right to Argentina after Indonesia was stripped off it. This is due to the political tension between Israel and Indonesia.
This year’s championship will take place between 20 May and 11 June.
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