The contest between Nigeria and hosts Argentina will be a battle of talents, tenacity, and skillful understanding. Both teams will battle for a desired place in the 2023 U-20 World Cup quarterfinals.
The upcoming clash promises an enthralling encounter between two football giants.
Nigeria qualified for the round of 16 after finishing as one of the four best third-placed teams despite accumulating 6 points in the group stage while Argentina gathered all maximum points to top their group.
Argentina will head into the game as the favorites being the host nation, in a better form, and also the most successful nation in this competition with 6 titles.
Despite losing to Brazil in their last game, Nigeria will not be pushovers. The Flying Eagles’ 6 points came as a surprise to many, and that is definitely a warning signal to the hosts. Hopefully, Nigeria will display more quality, offensively and defensively, than Uzbekistan, New Zealand, and Guatemala (the teams Argentina faced in their group games).
As the highly anticipated Round of 16 Nigeria vs Argentina clash kick-off time approaches, it is expected that the Flying Eagles will capitalize on pundits’ predictions of their abilities, and deliver a shocking defeat to formidable hosts Argentina.
While looking forward to the 22:00 kickoff time, Soccernet.ng reports that “The Senegal U20 coach, Malick Daf, has expressed his unwavering support for Nigeria’s Flying Eagles as they prepare to face off against tournament hosts Argentina in the Round of 16 clash at the FIFA U20 World Cup.
Acknowledging the quality of the Flying Eagles, Daf believes they possess the necessary attributes to upset the South American giants. Daf emphasized Nigeria’s strengths, describing them as a team with exceptional players who are quick and possess considerable strength.
“Nigeria has good players, very quick and strong,” Daf told Brila FM.
“Nigeria can win because Argentina isn’t a very strong team, but it could be very complicated because they are playing at home; I wish Nigeria all the best.”
Under the guidance of coach Ladan Bosso, Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have displayed determination and resilience throughout the tournament.
Their victories in the group stage, especially against high-flying Italy, proved their ability to rise to the occasion at such a time as this.
When Nigeria line up at the San Juan del Bicentenario Stadium, they will seek to silence Argentina in front of their lively home fans.
Boastfully, Flying Eagles head coach Ladan Bosso says his boys will not be afraid of the physical qualities of the hosts and the crowd expected at the venue.
“This is the World Cup and it is wrong to underrate any team. We won two of our three matches and had the same number of points in our group as Brazil and Italy. We are no pushovers in this campaign.
“It is going to be an interesting game. We want the quarter-final ticket and the Argentines also want the quarter-final ticket. We will go in there and dig our feet into the ground,” Ladan emphasized.
