By Ayo Bada / Lagos
Manu Garba
Three-time winners of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup, the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria, are looking good for the title in the ongoing tournament in United Arab Emirates (UAE) but will have to fly over Uruguay in the second quarterfinal match billed for this evening at the Sharjah Stadium, Sharjah.
Though, Uruguay, never a threat to Eaglets in any tournament, but the feats of the players so far, especially, Franco Pizzichillo, who usually operates close to the penalty area, facing the goal, ready to shoot or put the ball on a plate for a team-mate to score, is something to worry about.
The Golden Eaglets certainly have lived up to their billing as genuine contenders since the tournament started. At the end of the Round of 16, they turned out as the most prolific attacking team along with Brazil, having helped themselves to 18 goals in four games.
They enjoyed a comfortable 4-1 success against Iran in the last round to reach this far, but can expect a tougher test against Uruguay.
Indeed, Uruguay was likewise impressive in the last 16, making its quality count against a fragile Slovakia side that finally found their bearings too late to influence the outcome. They may boast of a less illustrious record, but they have raised their profile in recent editions of the competition, twice sealing quarterfinal spots before finishing runners-up to Mexico in 2011. The statistics all point to a well-balanced encounter with Uruguay having conceded four goals compared to five for Nigeria, even if they have scored four goals fewer. They also held African champions, Cote d'Ivoire to a 1-1 draw at the group stage.
For Golden Eaglets' Coach, Manu Garba, nothing is impossible for the team in this tournament and he has restated that the target is the trophy.
Nigeria has reached the quarterfinals nine times in 10 U-17 World Cup appearances, only falling short in 2003 when they finished third in their group and with the likes of Kelechi Iheanacho, Musa Yahaya, Success Isaac, Taiwo Awoniyi and Musa Mohammed, impossible is nothing in this tournament even against Uruguay.
Before the tie, Argentina will take on Cote d'Ivoire in the first match of the day at the same Sharjah Stadium, Sharjah.
Along with Sweden, Côte d'Ivoire is the only third-placed team from the group stage still on the move. Having scored six goals so far, the African champions may not be the most explosive side going forward, but they have made solid progress through the competition thanks to an ironclad defence and supremely dense midfield.
The Baby Elephants stifled Morocco's attacking potential in the Round of 16 but can expect a thorough examination from an Argentine side that boasts of individual talents who can change a game in a blink of an eye – as they proved against Tunisia. Argentina remains unbeaten so far.
