The 2023 FIFA Under-20 World Cup is ongoing in Argentina and 24 nations are contending for the trophy with historic powers England, France, Italy, Brazil, and the hosts among the favourites to win it all.
Notably, matches in the Round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and final will go to extra time and penalty kicks, if necessary, in case the game is tied after 90 minutes.
To triumph over five-time world champions Brazil in Saturday night’s last U20 World Cup Group D match, and to improve on their winning strength, it would be important that coach Ladan Bosso play the best XI of Flying Eagles.
To prove the capability of Nigeria’s side so far, Ladan Bosso has played 16 of the 21 players registered for the tournament.
Suffice it to mention that players like goalkeepers Nathaniel Nwosu, and Otoblo John Audu, winger Kehinde Ibrahim, as well as fullbacks Israel Domingo and Augustine Njoku are yet to see action in the ongoing competition.
The Flying Eagles has secured their ticket to the Round of 16 of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina, thanks to their captivating 2-0 victory over Italy on Wednesday.
Group D, otherwise known as the “Group of Death” is guaranteed to be an excitedly battled area all through to the final group matches.
Notwithstanding, both Brazil and Italy are ready to join the Flying Eagles to progress to the knockout rounds and these would be determined by their results on Saturday.
Interestingly, the line of qualification will then be the concern as the tournament tie breakers are first points recorded in all group games, goals difference and then number of goals scored.
The Ladan Bosso boys will need at least a draw on Saturday to top Group D to enjoy an advantageous knockout face-off against the third best Losers in Groups B (Ecuador), E (Tunisia) or F (Honduras).
More so, as Runners-up in Group D, the Flying Eales embrace a shocking work against Group E Winners, England.
However, a loss to Brazil, who Nigeria are yet to defeat at this stage, would imply trouble for Nigeria should Italy also run up the scores against the Dominican Republic after Brazil tortured the debutants 6-0 in midweek.
While as third-placed Losers in Group D, Nigeria’s Flying Eagles would have to decisively engage either Group A Winners (hosts Argentina) or Group B Winners (USA) for a place in the World Cup quarterfinal.
