Fifa places Flying Eagles in tough group for U20 World Cup alongside Brazil and Italy

NIGERIA'S Flying Eagles had been drawn alongside Brazil in the Fifa U-20 World Cup in a tough Group D pairing that also includes Italy and the Dominican Republic at the forthcoming global tournament due to kick off in Argentina on May 20.

Two finalists, the Flying Eagles, will be up against the Young Selecao of Brazil, who are five-time winners of the competition. Italy, who have never won the competition will also be a tough nut to crack, as will the Dominican Republic who are making their maiden appearance in the competition.

Back in 1989 and 2005, Nigeria got to the finals of the competition but lost out to Spain and Argentina respectively. This time around, the Flying Eagles, who  came third at the 2023 Africa U20 Cup of Nations in Egypt, will be hoping to go one better.

Apart from Nigeria, African champions Senegal, have been drawn in Group C alongside Japan, Israel and Colombia. Also, the Young Scorpions of Gambia will compete in Group F with France, Korea Republic and Honduras.

Tunisia, the other African representatives, are drawn in Group E with Uruguay, Iraq and England. Second only to the World Cup, the tournament will take place in Argentina, holding between May 20 and June 11.