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Nigeria Team Page

Squad

Coach: Ladan Bosso

Roster:

Goalkeepers: Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Moses Ocheje, Olufemi Thomas

Defenders: Efe Ambrose, Adeniyi Ayodeji, Uwa Echiejile, Robert Egbeta, Nazifi Inuwa, Akeem Latifu, Oladapo Olufemi, Kingsley Salami, Sura Sodiq

Midfielders: Moses Adams, Chukwuma Akabueze, Blessing Okardi, Solomon Owello, Nduka Ozokwo

Forwards: Akeem Agbetu, Ezekiel Bala, Brown Ideye, Bello Kofarmata

Scouting Report

Strengths: Unlike other teams, Nigeria boasts balanced scoring and doesn't rely on one player to supply the team with goals. Nigeria is also hungry for success, especially after losing to Argentina in the 2005 tournament final. Speed won't be an issue because Nigeria plays an up-tempo game and its forwards and attacking midfielders like to run directly at opposing defenders. Placed in a relatively easy group, Nigeria should have little trouble advancing to the second round.

Weaknesses: Despite reaching the finals, Nigeria looked pretty mediocre in the recent African Youth Championship, possibly a sign of things to come from the Flying Eagles in Canada. Defence is also an issue, as Nigeria's young back-line will have problems containing the tournament's more explosive forwards. Although possessing plenty of speed, Nigeria is short on technical skill and don't have any players who can dictate the pace of the game from midfield.

Player to watch: Team captain Blessing Okardi will be the field general for the Nigerian team in Canada.

Prognosis: Is this the year the Flying Eagles live up to their potential and win it all? After losing to Argentina in the final two years ago, Nigeria is more mature and seems poised to take that final step. With natural speed and plenty of attacking spirit, the African powerhouse should have little trouble advancing from their opening round group – it would be a major shock if they didn't win the group ahead of Costa Rica, Japan and Scotland. Once they get to the knockout stage, look for Nigeria to make a serious run at the title, provided they can tighten up defensively and dictate the pace of their game with their natural speed.

ROAD TO THE U-20 WORLD CUP

2007 qualification route: Nigeria finished second at the 2007 African Youth Championship in Congo, earning the chance to come to Canada.

Qualifying record: 9 games played, 5 win, 3 losses, 1 draw

Goals for: 12 Goals against: 8

Top goal-scorer in qualifying (excludes round 1 qualifying): Zenke Terwade, Echieyile Uwa, Emmanuel Sarki, and Simon Zenke

Qualifying results:

2007 African Youth Championship round 1 qualifying

Aug. 4-6 and 18-20, 2006 – Nigeria 3-0, 0-2 Equatorial Guinea (Nigeria wins 3-2 on aggregate)

Round 2 qualifying

Sept. 30 and Oct. 21, 2006 – Nigeria 5-0, 1-0 Rwanda (Nigeria wins 6-0 on aggregate)

Final tournament group play in Pointe Noire, Congo - (Group B)

Jan. 21, 2007 – Nigeria 4, Zambia 2

Jan. 24, 2007 – Egypt 1, Nigeria 1

Jan. 27, 2007 – Nigeria 0, Cameroon 2

Semifinals in Brazzaville, Congo

Jan. 30, 2007 – Gambia 0, Nigeria 1

Final in Brazzaville, Congo

Feb. 3, 2007 – Nigeria 0, Congo 1

July 1 vs. Costa Rica in Victoria (Royal Athletic Park) at 17:00

July 4 vs. Scotland in Victoria (Royal Athletic Park) at 19:45

July 7 vs. Japan in Victoria (Royal Athletic Park) at 17:00

U-20 WORLD CUP HISTORY

Nigeria is an African soccer titan. However, over the years it has failed to capture the world crown despite a number of great squads. Nigeria came in second overall in 1989 and in 2005, and reached the semifinals in 1985, taking third. In 1999, Nigeria hosted the event but failed to advance past the quarter-finals.

Number of previous U-20 World Cup Appearances: 5

All-time record: 33 games played, 14 wins, 6 draws, 13 losses

Goals for: 28 Goals against: 41

Biggest victory: 3-0 vs. Switzerland in 2005

Biggest defeat: 0-4 vs. Brazil in 1987

Hosted the U-20 World Cup: 1999

1977 to 1981 – Did not qualify

1983 – First round

1985 – Semifinals (3rd place)

1987 – First round

1989 – Runner-up

1991 to 1997 – Did not qualify