Nigeria’s quest for a fifth FIFA U-17 World Cup title will face a stern test on Sunday as the Golden Eaglets will be up against their Brazilian counterparts in one of the quarter final matches of the ongoing Cadet Championships in Chile.
The Golden Eaglets got to this round after a comprehensive 6-0 bashing of Australia in their second round game with Victor Osimhen netting a treble.
Although both countries will be meeting at this level of football for the very first time, they will be hoping to outwit one another for a place in the semi-final where Ecuador or Mexico ambush them for a final ticket.
The Brazilians were unconvincing in the last 16 but have played some slick football during the tournament, with Amadeu intelligently using his attacking options.
Nigeria’s only defeat in the quarter final of the U17 World Cup was against Oman at the 1995 edition staged in Ecuador where Mohammed Amar Al-Kathiri and Hani Al-Dhabit’ goals eclipsed Chiedu Chukwueke’s 13th minute opener in Portoviejo, and not minding his side’s awe-inspiring form, coach Emmanuel Amuneke insists his boys must put up a brave fight to subdue the South Americans.
“We are candidates to win the title, but so are Brazil. We will work to put up a good fight," he told Fifa.com.
Coach Amuneke is not expected to make any changes to the side that has served him so well in Chile, meaning leading goal scorer Victor Osimhen will once again be supported by Samuel Chukwueze and Ejike Ikwu from out wide.
Nigeria boast of an intimidating record of 13 goals in four games against their opposition’s four aside another dissimilarity of Brazil not topping their group like the Golden Eaglets in the preliminaries.
Should the Eaglets triumph on Sunday, they will face either Mexico or Ecuador in the last four billed for the Estadio Municipal de Concepción, Concepción.
What are your thoughts? Can Nigeria defeat Brazil?
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