THE Flying Eagles of Nigeria have been drawn in what soccer pundits describe as the ‘group of death’.
The Nigerian representatives are drawn in group D alongside Italy, Brazil and the Dominican Republic.
Nigeria finished in third place at the U20 AFCON in Egypt in March after blowing hot and cold at the tournament and will now have to surmount stiff opposition from CONMEBOL champions and giants Brazil, European giants Italy to make it past the group stage of the tournament scheduled to take place in Argentina from 20 May till June 11th,
African champions Senegal received a relatively easier draw, with Japan, Israel and Colombia drawn alongside them in Group C. AFCON runners-up The Gambia are in Group F alongside France, Korea and Honduras. The last African flagbearers, Tunisia, also received a tough draw after they were pitted against Uruguay, England and Iraq in Group E.
Awarded the hosting rights for the tournament after diplomatic issues with the former hosts Indonesia, Argentina will face Uzbekistan, Guatemala and New Zealand in a relatively easy Group A. Group B has the USA, Ecuador, Fiji and Slovakia.
Flying Eagles trainer Ladan Bosso has already extended invitations to 39 players for the tournament, a good chunk of whom were not at the AFCON in Egypt. With the tournament only a month away, it remains to be seen how the Flying Eagles would fare against their group-stage opponents.
Eighteen-Eleven Media