Nigeria have been placed in the same group as host nation Chile at this year’s Fifa Under-17 World Cup.
In front of a parked audience in the theatre at the Centro de las Artes 660 landmark in the capital city of Santiago, and with Chilean president Michelle Bachelet in attendance, representatives of all 24 participating teams realised their fates on Thursday.
Chile will set the ball rolling on 17 October with the opening game against Croatia. Nigeria and the USA – the other teams in the Group A – headlines the day’s other top-of-the-Bill fixture.
The Golden Eaglets will be bidding for a record-extending fifth success at the cadet tournament, after winning the trophy for a fourth time in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2013.
Nigeria Golden Eaglets Will Be Seeking for a Record Extending Fifth World Cup Title in Chile Later This Year. Image: Caf via BackPagePix.
That dream, however, requires significant improvement on the part of the coach Emmanuel Amuneke side, who earlier this year finished fourth at the Caf U-17 Championships in the Niger Republic.
In a draw which offers several mouth-watering fixtures, Group B could nonetheless produce the dark horses of the tournament, as England, Guinea, Brazil and Korea Republic look to stake their claims to the U-17 title.
Group D offers class in European and South American giants, Germany and Argentina, as well as Australia and 2011 winners Mexico.
Reigning African champions in the age group, Mali, are drawn against Belgium, Honduras and Ecuador in Group D, while debutantes South Africa face Costa Rica, Korea DPR and Russia in Group E.
Group F has New Zealand, France, Syria and Paraguay.
Groups
Group A (Santiago, Vina del Mar, Coquimbo): Chile, Croatia, Nigeria, USA
Group B (La Serena, Coquimbo, Vina del Mar): England, Guinea, Brazil, Korea Republic
Group C (Chillan, Talca): Australia, Germany, Mexico, Argentina
Group D (Talca, Chillan): Belgium, Mali, Honduras, Ecuador
Group E (Concepcion, Puerto Montt): South Africa, Costa Rica, Korea DPR, Russia
Group F (Puerto Montt, Concepcion): New Zealand, France, Syria, Paraguay
Support InfoStride News' Credible Journalism: Only credible journalism can guarantee a fair, accountable and transparent society, including democracy and government. It involves a lot of efforts and money. We need your support. Click here to Donate