Flying Eagles in Buenos Aires to finalise preparations for World Cup

Preparations

A delegation of 20 players and 10 officials of Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have arrived in Buenos Aires, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said on Sunday.

Ademola Olajire, NFF’s Director of Communications, said in a statement that they were in Argentina’s capital city to camp for 10 days ahead of the 2023 FIFA Under-20 World Cup finals.

“The contingent departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Saturday night and travelled through Istanbul before heading to Buenos Aires,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Flying Eagles are among qualifiers for the FIFA Under-20 World Cup which Argentina are hosting from May 20 to June 11.

With a record of having finished with the silver medals in 1989 and 2005, and with the bronze medals in 1985, the Flying Eagles will be eyeing the top prize.

This is their 13^th appearance at a tournament they first graced in Mexico 40 years ago.

That was when they stunned the then Soviet Union 1-0 through a well-taken goal by Tarila Okorowanta in Monterrey, Mexico before losing 0-3 to Brazil in their second game in Guadalajara.

Needing victory to reach the knock-out round, the Flying Eagles could only draw with The Netherlands in their final group game in Monterrey.

This time around, Nigeria have been drawn in Group D to face Dominican Republic, Italy and Brazil in that order in the group phase.

Their first two games will hold in Mendoza, in the far west of Argentina, against the Dominican Republic on May 21 and against Italy on May 24.

They will then meet Brazil in La Plata on May 27.

NAN reports that La Plata, Santiago del Estero, San Juan and Mendoza are the four host cities for the 24-team competition.

(NAN)