Twice, Flying Eagles has reached the final of the FIFA U-20 World Cup and twice it has failed to lift the trophy. The first was in 1989 in Saudi Arabia, where the team lost 2-0 to Luis Figo led Portugal, while the second time was in 2005 in Netherlands; losing 2-1 to Lionel Messi led Argentine side.
Despite failing twice, Flying Eagles will want to edge its name in gold by winning the tournament for the first time at the 20th edition kicking off in New Zealand today. The Nigerian side has featured in 11 out of the 19 times that the tournament has been organised.
And it will start its baptism of fire against five-time winner, Brazil on Monday, June 01 before playing North Korea on June 4 and Hungary in its last group E match on June 07.
If Flying Eagles successes at the Super Six tournament in Nigeria, Africa Youth Championship in Senegal and warm-up matches in Germany are anything to go by, then the team stands a chance of breaking the jinx.
The team routed Hoffenheim 5-2, annihilating Nurnberg 5-0 before thrashing Freiberg 4-1 to maintain a winning form in its pre-World Cup friendly matches.
Though friendly matches may not give a true reflection of a team, however, it will give the technical crew an insight into the team’s weaknesses and how to correct them before the tournament kicks off.
What may be Coach Manu Garba headache will be who to select as he is blessed with talented players who are stars in their own right. Many of the players won the FIFA U-17 title in 2013 in UAE. At his disposal is Manchester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho, who is perhaps the most coveted 18-year old in world football today. Not to forget the likes of Isaac Success, Musa Muhammed, Taiwo Awoniyi, Dele Alampasu, Kingsley Sokari, Moses Simon, Bernard Bulbwa, Godwin Saviour, Musa Yahaya among others.
One interesting fact about this list is that, 11 of the players that featured at the U-17 World Cup are in the team. For the record, Manu Garba and his team of Coaches have set a national and perhaps African record of consecutive run without a defeat. Since October 2013 till date Manu Garba has not lost a game in 14 official matches; excluding friendlies.
Nigeria will contend against Brazil for the two group tickets. Brazil qualified as runners-up behind Uruguay, in its qualifying group.
Hungary narrowly qualified by the skin of its teeth after losing 3-1 and 6-1 against Austria and Portugal respectively in its opening matches before beating Israel 2-1 in the last match, to qualify as third in Europe Group A.
North Korea known for its speed, trademark fighting spirit and ability to soak up pressure before hitting teams on the break, qualified for New Zealand as runners-up behind Qatar at the Asian tournament. The team only scores few goals and depend on its backline to absorb opponent’s attack.
Group A has host country New Zealand, Ukraine, USA and Myanmar. Leading group B is six times winner, Argentina, Panama, Ghana and Austria, while group C has Qatar, Colombia, Portugal and Senegal.
In group D are Mexico, Mali, Uruguay and Serbia. Group F has Germany, Fiji, Uzbekistan and Honduras.
