After a lack-luster group performance in the ongoing FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Poland, the Flying Eagles are set to settle scores with a fellow-African nation, Senegal tonight in the second round..
Both West African teams were condemned to clash early in the global youth competition, following Nigeria’s inability to finish among the top-two sides in Group D, while Senegal emerged first in their pool and are deemed favourites to reach the quarter-finals.
The Junior Teranga Lions are also runners-up from the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations in February, when Nigeria could only place fourth, after falling to South Africa in the losers’ final, and their performances so far at Poland 2019 have left much to be desired.
Senegal went through the group phase without conceding a goal. Many fans feel tonight’s round of 16 clash with Senegal is symbolic of only taking the Flying Eagles ‘so near yet so far’ from where the ongoing competition’s final will be played on 15th June.
The seven-time African champions are yet to impress in Poland since their opening day 4-0 lashing of Qatar in Tychy, with goals from Maxwell Effiom, Henry Offia, Ayotomiwa Dele-Bashiru and Aliu Salawudeen.
A 2-0 loss to USA and 1-1 draw with Ukraine, both in Bielsko-Biala, saw the Flying Eagles sneak into the knockout rounds, much to the disdain of their fans, who are no longer holding unto any iota of belief inn the team’s ability to move further in the competition.
However, a statement by the information department of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) disclosed that the team spirit in camp is high following qualification, and the prospect of reaching the quarter-finals appears to have renewed determination among the players.
