About a month ago i wrote about Ghana’s potential mouth-watering duel with Brazil in the FIFA U-20 World Cup final in Cairo, Egypt. That night the Black Satelites prevailed against a determined Brazil that had amongst its players the amazing Alan Kardec.
On Sunday however, the spotlight will once again shine on another African nation. This time the pressure will be on FIFA U-17 World Cup hosts Nigeria as they prepare to battle for the U-17 World cup title with an unfancied Swiss side.
The three time winners, current champions and hosts demolished a strong Spanish side 3-1 in Thursday’s semi final to set up a final with Switzerland. The Swiss on the other hand thrashed Colombia 4-0 to book their ticket to the final.
However, while Nigeria’s young boys are performing quite well their senior side are in danger of missing next year’s World cup tournament in South Africa. Nigeria who play Kenya in a must win match at the Moi Kasarani International stadium on Saturday are in second place behind Tunisia who lead group 2 with 10 points.
The whole Nigerian community must be in a state of anxiety considering the fact that this weekend could be a potential make or break scenario for their football. That said, I am pretty confident of Nigeria’s U-17 side wining the trophy in Sunday’s final at the National Stadium in Abuja.
Nigeria’s Eaglets will definitely do Africa proud if they win this tournament. All that will be left will be for the continents representatives at next year’s summer World Cup to replicate this run of successes with the mother of them all- the FIFA world cup trophy. If these results are anything to go by then you can be sure that Africa will definitely be a force to reckon with in South Africa.