The Flying Eagles of Nigeria will challenge the Gli Azzurrini of Italy in Group D of the U20 FIFA World Cup by 7pm (Nigerian Time) on Wednesday, at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza, Argentina.
The Nigeria U20 boys beat debutants Dominican Republic 2-1 in their opening game on Sunday to get off to a flying start at the tournament.
Head coach of the Flying Eagles Ladan Bosso has promised that his team will learn from their shortcomings in the game against the Dominicans and be much more clinical in final-third against Italy.
A win for Nigeria in the top-of-the-table clash will guarantee a spot in the U20 FIFA World Cup knockout stages with one game to spare.
Coach Bosso’s boys will be hoping their come-from-behind 2-1 victory against Dominican Republic can spur them onto victory against the tricky Italians.
The Gli Azzurrini of Italy
The Gli Azzurrini of Italy also recorded a victory in its first game, claiming a 3-2 win against Brazil in a thrilling contest.
Italy’s U20 head coach, Carmine Nunziata, admitted it won’t be an easy task coming up against the Flying Eagles of Nigeria at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
“A strong team, difficult to face because they have extremely physical players, endowed with great speed,” Nunziata said on Italy’s FA website. “It won’t be easy, an important match to continue our journey in this World Cup.”
HEAD TO HEAD
This will be the second time both teams will be meeting at the FIFA U20 World Cup. Their first meeting was in October 1987, where Europeans Italy beat Nigeria 2-0.
The encounter at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas Stadium promises to deliver a festival of goals as both sides seek qualification to the knockout stages of the competition.
🚨M A T C H D A Y!
⚽️ Nigeria U20 🇳🇬 🆚Italy U20🇮🇹
🗓 Wednesday, May 24, 2023
⏱ 7.00 pm 🇳🇬
🏟 Estadio Malvinas Argetinas, Mendoza 🇦🇷
🧿 FIFA U20 World Cup#SoarFlyingEagles#ITANGA #FIFAU20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/ouoEv6pEro
— The NFF 🇳🇬 (@thenff) May 24, 2023
