- FIFA U-17 World Cup
Muhammed: We're going to win
MondayNigeria’s Golden Eaglets will take on Sweden in the second semi-final game of the ongoing 15th Fifa U17 World Cup billed for the Rashid Stadium in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates’ capital.
Both countries will be meeting for the second time in the competition after playing a 3-3 draw during their second group game at the Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium.
Garba Manu’s boys were impressive in their quarter-final game versus Uruguay with Taiwo Awoniyi’s brace sending their impressive South American rivals packing whereas the Swedes had to fight back from a goal down to beat Honduras 2-1 in a pulsating last eight fixture.
The Scandinavians come into this game as underdogs having lost a game in the tournament – a sharp contrast with the free-scoring Nigerians who are yet to taste defeat in all their five games.
Though, coach Larsson’s goal was to reach the Round of 16 on arrival to UAE, they will fancy their chances of emulating the Swiss team that lifted the trophy in Nigeria in their debut in the competition.
Nigeria will have to do without the services of midfield anchor Akinjide Idowu after he collected his second yellow card against Uruguay, while Viktor Nordin will be found no where around the bench of the Blue-Yellows after picking up two yellow cards in two successive matches.
Isaac Success will likely stage a return for the Eaglets after missing out of his team’s last three games due to a hamstring injury he coped against the sturdy north Europeans (Sweden) in the group stage.
It is noteworthy that Nigeria have emerged victorious in 10 of their 17 previous encounters against European sides at the U-17 World Cup with the remaining seven results comprising two losses and five draws.
Tuesday 5 November 2013
The young Africans
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