After the unexpected conquest of hosts Argentina by the Flying Eagles of Nigeria, Ladan Bosso’s wards have a banana peel of a fixture against South Korea today, Sunday, 4th June, 2023.
The young Nigerians have history beckoning on them as a victory over South Korea will mark the first time Nigeria progress beyond the quarter final stage of the FIFA Under 20 World Cup (U20WC) since losing in the final to Lionel Messi’s Argentina in 2005.
The tactical exploits of Bosso in the Argentina game cannot be overemphasised as he effectively nullified the threats of the hosts’ best attacking talents while fashioning a way to harm them.
“We are delighted to have executed a perfect game plan against Argentina. Our strategy and tactics worked out and the boys worked very hard. Now, we have to concentrate on what to expect from the Koreans. We have been watching their games at this championship and we have a good idea how to prepare for them.
“Again, the boys must work hard and carry out our plan on match day. We have the playing personnel to do the job and I am positive we will cross the Korean hurdle.”
In 2007 in Canada, Bosso’s wards defeated Costa Rica and Scotland and drew with Japan to reach the Round of 16, where they edged fellow Africans Zambia 2-1 in Ottawa to set up a quarter-final date with Chile in Montreal.
That team, captained by Nduka Ozokwor (son of Nollywood star Patience Ozokwor) stood up to the Chileans for 90 minutes but collapsed in extra time under the covered arena of the Montreal Olympic Stadium. Bosso says he is aware of the quarter-final banana peel and will not stumble this time.
“It is a new day, a new championship, a new city and a new team. Nigeria has been in the final of this same competition on two previous occasions. Our objective is to at least match that feat. Once we’re in the final, anything can happen.”
When And How To Watch The Game
South Korea vs Nigeria, scheduled for the Estadio Único Madre de Ciudades in Santiago del Estero will kick-off at 2:30pm local time but 6:30pm in Nigeria with Spanish referee Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez at the helm of affairs.
The match will be aired on Cable TV, SuperSport Football Plus (Channel 202).
For online viewers, this game and all games of the 2023 FIFA U20 World Cup are available on the FIFA Plus App which is available to download in all Phone Stores.
