Flying Eagles drawn in Group of Death for the U20 FIFA World Cup

Nigeria’s U20 men’s side, the Flying Eagles, have received a tough draw for the U20 FIFA World Cup billed to hold in Argentina from May 20th till June 11th, with the Ladan Bosso-tutored band placed in a potential group of death.

Nigeria finished in third place at the U20 AFCON in Egypt in March after blowing hot and cold at the tournament. The boys will now face the trio of CONMEBOL champions and giants Brazil, European giants Italy and newcomers Dominican Republic after the quartet were drawn together in Group D.

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.