U-20 World Cup: Flying Eagles in Group of death, face Brazil, Italy

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

The Flying Eagles of Nigeria have been drawn into a group of death in next month’s Under-20 World Cup in Argentina.

The Nigerian side had been drawn in Group D along time five-time world champions, Brazil and Italy. The other team in the group is Dominican Republic.

Brazil have won the Under-20 trophy five times while neither Nigeria nor Italy have won the tournament.

The last time Nigeria and Italy met at the Under-20 World Cup was Chile 87 and the Italians ran away with 2-0.

Coincidentally, Nigeria was in the same group with Brazil, Italy and Canada at that tournament.

The Flying Eagles lost 4-0 to Brazil and drew 2-2 with Canada before crashing out at the group stage.

The Eagles have been runners-up in the tournament twice, Saudi 1989 when they lost 2-0 to Portugal in the final and Netherlands 2005 when they lost 2-1 to Lionel Messi-led Argentina. They were also third place winner in 1985 when they defeated the then Soviet Union 3-1 on penalty after 0-0 on extra-time.

The Flying Eagles have crashed out of the last three Under-20 World Cup they played in at the group stage-2013, 2015 and 2019.

However, African champions, Senegal will play in Group C along with Japan, Israel and Colombia. Tunisia will play in Group E along Uruguay, Iraq and England, while The Gambia will play in Group F with France, Korea Republic and Honduras.

Ghana is the only African country to have won the Under-20 World Cup when it was hosted by Egypt in 2009. They beat Brazil 4-3 on penalty after extra-time.

See full draw below