Nigeria national under 20 team; the Flying Eagles will face Qatar in the opening game of Group D at the 2019 FIFA Under 20 World Cup in Tychy on Friday evening.
The young Eagles, coached by former Enyimba coach Paul Aigbogun will attempt to win the tournament for the first time when they compete alongside twenty-three other nations in the championship which got underway on Thursday.
Both Nigeria and Qatar lost at the semifinal stage of their continental qualification championship and will contest the opening game in Group D at the 15,300 capacity Tychy Stadium starting from 5pm Nigerian time.
Nigeria’s side is captained by Enyimba left back Ikouwem Udo Utin and the team will be relying on the likes of goalkeeper Olawale Oremade, centre back Valentine Ozornwafor, midfielder Kingsley Michael and attacker Henry Offia.
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Head coach of the team, Aigbogun believes a good start in the tournament will be key for team confidence.
“We have a tough history to match. Silver medals on two occasions and bronze medals once, and a number of quarter final appearances. That’s why we must start very well, by taking the points against Qatar and then march on with confidence and self assurance.
“We are flying the flag of nearly 200 million Nigerians, as well as that of the African continent. We have put a lot of work into building a squad that will make Nigeria and Africa proud,” Aigbogun told thenff.com.
After Friday’s group opener, the Flying Eagles will face United States on Monday in their second group game before rounding up their group schedule with a meeting with Ukraine on Thursday.
