The Flying Eagles, Nigeria’s U20 football team, have arrived in Santiago del Estero, Argentina, ahead of Sunday’s FIFA U20 World Cup quarterfinal match against Korea Republic.
On Wednesday night in San Juan, the seven-time African champions Nigeria dominated the hosts and six-time champions Argentina to advance to the round of 16. As a result, they have been labeled as favorites for the tournament.
Isah Ladan Bosso, who was also the Flying Eagles’ head coach when they reached the quarterfinals of the FIFA U20 World Cup in Canada 16 years ago, stated that his team will continue to focus on each individual match.
“We are thrilled to have flawlessly executed our game plan against Argentina. Our strategy and tactics were effective, and the lads labored very diligently. Now, we must focus on what to anticipate from the Koreans. We have a solid understanding of how to prepare for them after observing their championship events.
“On match day, the lads must once again work diligently and execute our plan. We have the playing personnel to do the job and I am positive we will cross the Korean hurdle,” Bosso said.
In 2007 in Canada, Bosso’s squad defeated Costa Rica and Scotland and drew with Japan to advance to the Round of 16, where they defeated Zambia 2-1 in Ottawa to set up a meeting with Chile in the quarterfinals in Montreal.
This team, captained by Nduka Ozokwo, battled the Chileans for 90 minutes before succumbing in overtime at the covered Montreal Olympic Stadium. Bosso stated that he is aware of the quarterfinal slip-up and will avoid falling this time.
“It is a brand-new day, a brand-new championship, a brand-new metropolis, and a brand-new team. Nigeria has twice previously reached the final of this same competition. Our objective is to at least equal that accomplishment. Once we reach the final, anything is possible.”
Sunday’s quarterfinal match against the Koreans is scheduled for 6.30 p.m. Nigerian time at the Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades in Santiago del Estero.
The Koreans defeated Ecuador 3-2 in their own Round of 16 match on Thursday, setting up a highly anticipated matchup with the United States.
