A difficult draw for the Flying Eagles U20, who will play Brazil, Italy and the Dominican Republic in the World Cup 2023 of their category which will take place in Argentina from May 20 to June 11.
Friday’s draw was led by former Argentine and French internationals Juan Pablo Sorin and David Trezeguet. Three of the four African teams qualified for the 23rd edition of the U20 World Cup will face tough contenders.
The Flying Eagles of Nigeria, are used to playing in the World Youth Championships. The team will this year in Group D “the group of death” with Italy and especially Brazil and its young prodigies Endrick -already recruited by Real Madrid- and Andrey Santos, bought by Chelsea, to name a few.
Speaking to AllNigeriaSoccer, Flying Eagles coach Landan Bosso confirmed the invitation of foreign-based players to join the squad. He didn’t provide any names though.
He aims to beef up the attack of the Flying Eagles who ended the U20 AFCON third.
Gambia, the surprise finalists of latest AFCON, will challenge France, 2013 world champions led this year by Elye Wahi, a young striker of Ivorian descent who scored 26 goals in two seasons with Montpellier.
The Young Scorpions will also have to face South Korea, finalist of the last edition, and Honduras (Group F).
Tunisia is in Group E together with Uruguay and England as main rivals. Iraq, runner-up of Asia, is the small thumb of the group of Eagles.
The two top teams of each of the six groups plus the four best thirds will qualify for the round of 16.
(AP)
