Flying Eagles to Kick-off World Cup against Brazil June 1

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles now know who they are to face at the 2015 Fifa U20 World Cup starting in New Zealand on May 29 after the football governing body released the official team lists last Thursday. The Garba Manu-tutored lads are in Group E of the biennial tournament and are grouped alongside South American heavyweights Brazil, Hungary and North Korea.

Nigeria will start their campaign against the Selecao of Brazil on June 1 looking to replicate the heroics of the all- conquering under-17 side that won the Fifa Under-17 World Cup in the UAE two years ago. Just like the coach, the majority of the current squad members have been promoted from the under-17s to the under-20s and it is expected this continuity will work in the team’s favour.

The Flying Eagles are African champions at under-20 level after edging out the Young Teranga Lions of Senegal in the final game of the Africa Youth Championship in Senegal in March.

Nigeria’s first game will be against Brazil who have included the trio of Andreas Perreira of Manchester United, Jean Carlos of Real Madrid and Alef of French side Olympique Marseille in their team.

New coach Rogerio Micale will hope the trio can inspire his side to win the trophy, ably supported by the talented cast of Kenedy from Fluminense and centre back Danilo who plays for Portuguese side Sporting Braga.

Brazil won’t be the only threat in the tournament as Argentina, winners in 2005 have always done well at this level as Argentina are also favourites for the title.

Coached by Humberto Grondona, the junior Albiceleste are one of the powerhouses from South America and have Atletico Madrid’s Angel Correa and Barcelona B attacker Maximiliano Rolon in their ranks.

Other players to watch our for include Colombia’s Alexis Zapata from Udinese in the Italian Serie A, Andre Silva of Portugal, Serbia’s Milos Veljkovic who is with Tottenham in England and Uruguay’s Diego Poyet, who is the son of former Sunderland coach Gus Poyet.

Nigeria’s Group E opponents Hungary also have a good squad to count on with the Atlanta Bergamo of Italy duo David Forgacs and Akos Kecskes the stand-out players in the team.

North Korea, whom Nigeria will face on June 4 at the Stadium Taranaki are relatively unknown but have been together for the past two years under the tutelage of coach An Ye Gun. They will look to upset the apple cart in Group E as they face more illustrious opponents in Nigeria, Brazil and Hungary.