Flying Eagles on the march again

by Sammy Wejinya 26 May 2015, 14:33

Nigeria’s U20 team, the Flying Eagles will begin their quest to become world champions for the very first time when the World Cup kicks off in New Zealand on May 30.
Brazil, Hungary and Korea DPR are the Flying Eagles’ group opponents in New Zealand.
The Flying Eagles will face the South Americans first on June 1 at Stadium, Taranaki, New Plymouth.
Nigeria go into that contest knowing they have never defeated Brazil at this level in a competitive game.
Expectations are however high that this is the year when the Flying Eagles finally take the monkey off their back and beat the ‘Samba Boys’ for the very first time.
Nigeria’s coach, Manu Garba is spoiled for choice with prodigious and precocious talent at his disposal.
In Manchester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho, he has perhaps the most coveted 18-year old in world football.
Iheanacho has been doing impressive things for City’s Elite Development Squad (EDS) and scored vital goals against Chelsea, FC Porto and Manchester United in recent weeks.
Garba can also call upon the services of Success Isaac (Granada, Spain), Moses Simon, a league champion with Gent in Belgium and Taiwo Awoniyi, the youngster severally touted to be the heir apparent to legendary striker, the late Rashidi Yekini.
Fear and quaking in their boots
Nigeria’s opponents are aware of the strengths of the West Africans with Brazil’s coach, Alexandre Gallo admitting that the Flying Eagles “can cause us problems”.
“Nigeria always causes us problems. The team is a strong one, technically good with good players,” Gallo said.
Nigerian striker, Awoniyi has since confessed that they know little about the Brazilians or indeed any of their other group rivals ahead of their preliminary matches.
“We are yet to watch any videos of our opponents but our coaches have concentrated fully on preparing us for whatever challenges we will come across. We are ready,” the striker told the official Fifa website, www.fifa.com.
Gallo however insists Brazil will not be caught off guard and explains the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition in the pool.
“Hungary has a typically European style – direct football, tall players. North Korea doesn’t have very technical players but the team closes you down a lot, the team has speed and counter-attack intensely,” the Brazil trainer explained.
The Flying Eagles will do well to heed the warnings handed down by Gallo when they face the Koreans on June 4 and Hungarians four days later.
Hopes and dreams of a first title
Nigeria will be making her 11th appearance in the competition.
A total of 504 players have been selected by the 24 teams that will compete for the top prize but the 21 selected by Garba will be hoping they make history when the final game is decided on June 20 at the North Harbour Stadium, Auckland.
Awoniyi who is expected to be at the tip of the spear for the Flying Eagles in New Zealand is confident about the chances of the side at the tournament.
“With the preparations we have put in, we want to be world champions in New Zealand. Every game will be a cup final for us.
“Our biggest strength is outside the pitch of play. It is the unity among the players. We are a big, happy family. On a personal level, scoring goals comes naturally to me.
“I also hold the ball upfront and try and bring my teammates into the attack. I play for the team as well,” he said.
The coach is also optimistic but chose the path of modesty when he exclusively spoke to supersport.com before the team departed for Germany for the final phase of their preparations for the World Cup.
“We know we are a good side but we will approach all our games with respect for our opponents.
“The objective is to win every game at the tournament and if we eventually win the trophy then we will celebrate,” he said.
Strong and effective performances in New Zealand will put expansive smiles on the faces of Nigerians at the end of the tournament.
© supersport.com