Nigeria’s U20 boys, Flying Eagles, will have to up their morale in order to sustain its winning momentum by beating Brazilian youth team in Saturday’s final match of Group D at the FIFA U20 World Cup finals in Argentina.
The team Coach Ladan Bosso on Friday was full of confidence that his boys are capable of rewriting history against the one side that has over the years probed to the thorns in the flesh of the seven-time African champions at the FIFA U20 World Cup.
“Yes, we acknowledge that Brazil has always been a hard nut to crack for our team at this level. We have lost a number of matches to them over the decades, but there is always a first time. We are riding on a wave of robust confidence and though we do not under-rate them, we certainly do not fear them.”
NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, who accompanied the two-time World Cup silver medal winners in Argentina, on Friday expressed firm belief that the Flying Eagles have what it takes to defeat the Samba Boys and lead their Group D.
“Presently, Nigeria is the only team with six points in the group. Italy can beat Dominican Republic and also go to six points. So, with the minimum of a slight win or draw against Brazil, we will top the group. It is important to top the group and also to sustain our spirit of winning.”
It would be recalled that Brazil wallowed Nigeria 3-0 in the 1983 edition of the tournament, just 24 months after, the Brazilian team also sent the Flying Eagles packing in the semi-finals after 2-0 winners.
Moreover, in 1987, the South American country also thrashed the Flying Eagles 4-0 in their opening game.
Both Nigeria and Brazil settled for a goalless draw in their opening match of Group F at the 2005 finals in the Netherlands.
The Niger born head coach was subject of England referee, Howard Webb after Chile had defeated Nigeria’s Under-20s at the quarter-final stage of the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Bosso alleged Webb of racial discrimination at a press conference after the game.
