U-20 FIFA WORLD CUP 2023: FLYING EAGLES SET FOR ROUND OF 16 MATCH AGAINST ARGENTINA

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles will trade tackles with Argentina in Round of 16 at the ongoing FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina at the Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario on Wednesday.

The Ladan Bosso led boys had won two matches in Group D defeating the Dominican Republic 2-1, the Young Azzurri- Italy 2-0 before they succumbed to Brazil 2-0 loss in the final group game.  Although Nigeria finished third in the group but qualified as the third best loser.

Meanwhile, Argentina sealed the top spot in Group A with a win against Uzbekistan 2-1 before their triumph over Guatemala 3-0. The South American soccer giants also outclassed New Zealand 5-0 on Friday in the final Group A match. The Argentines have a stunning 10 goals in all matches only second to Ecuador with 11 goals.

Argentina, which ranks as the most successful nation at the FIFA U-20 World Cup with six titles, are already tipped as favourites considering the team’s record and home crowd support. The team boasts of top strikers Alejo Veiz who has scored three goals and Luka Romerio two goals.

Meanwhile, Nigeria the underdog could pose a surprise with the likes Jude Sunday and Chijioke Aniagboso who played brilliantly in the team’s last match against Brazil.

The Nigeria team tactically could play to avoid early goals having had the experience of conceding two goals in a space of five minutes towards the end of the first half in the match against Brazil. Also the team fighting spirit which they displayed against Italy could be reinvented against the six times champion.

Another expectation of the Flying Eagles is progressive play with good counter attack and clinical in front of goal to stand any chance of advancing in the competition.

Nigeria has never won the U-20 FIFA World cup with the team’s best performance being second in 2089 and 2005, while they were eliminated in round of 16 in the last edition in 2019.

The match kick-off time is 10pm Nigerian time.