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Nigeria trio Garba Lawal, Patrick Pascal & Dosu Joseph upbeat about Flying Eagles chances
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
As the Nigeria national U-20 team prepares to kick off its campaign at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup against the Dominican Republic on Sunday, former Nigeria Internationals have thrown their weights behind the Flying Eagles.
The Flying Eagles finished third at the Africa U20 Cup of Nations in Egypt earlier in March and begin their quest to glory on the global stage against Dominican Republic, before Italy, and Brazil in Group D of the tournament.
The Nigerians will get their campaign off the ground on Sunday, 21 May when they go up against the Dominican Republic in Mendoza before against Italy in Mendoza on 24 May and against Brazil in La Plata on 27 May.
Former Super Eagles star Patrick Pascal, who is the chairman of Bauchi State Football Association and the Super Eagles Coordinator are backing the team to advance.
“I don’t think the Flying Eagles will have any problem coming out of the group. I know many people are afraid because of Brazil but I can tell you that Brazil is the least problem in the group,” Sadi told Daily Trust Sports.
Of course, they deserve respect but if you look at it very well, Italy are more dangerous because they have so many talents within the age bracket who are playing in Serie A.
“Brazil is Brazil but I believe we can beat them. What the Flying Eagles need is good preparation and a convincing win in their opening match of the tournament. Victory over the Dominican Republic will boost their morale ahead of the remaining two group matches.”
In the same vein, former Super Eagles utility player, Garba Lawal, said Brazilians are always very tough but they can be beaten by any team that does not give them too much respect.
“It is a very difficult group but I remember what happened at Atlanta 1996. When we were to play Brazil and Argentina, nobody gave us a chance but we believed in ourselves,” Lawal warned Bosso’s men.
“And with hard work and determination, we beat all the Southern American heavyweights on our way to becoming Olympic champions. This is an opportunity for the young boys to market themselves to European clubs.
“The whole world will be following the proceedings so they must put in their best to justify their selection to represent Nigeria. For many of them, there will be no such opportunity again so now that it is available, they must not fail to take it.
“The Flying Eagles should take one match at a time. For me, all the teams in the group deserve equal attention. If they focus too much on the big teams, they may be destroyed by the Dominican Republic. A loss in the opening match will be a fatal blow.”
Another former Super Eagles star, Patrick Pascal said football has changed so much that what matters most now is determination and hard work to succeed.
“This is a World Cup where only the best players are featured. So, Bosso should ensure that only the best players are given the chance to represent Nigeria. I have seen smaller countries beating the supposed big nations. It is about self-belief and confidence,” Pascal kept
“Even when you are in a group of death, you will be dead only when you believe you can die. If you believe you will survive, there will be nothing like death for you. My advice for the Flying Eagles is that they shouldn’t think they are in a group of death.
“So, Bosso and his boys must discard the idea of the group of death. Despite our decline, Nigerian football is still respected across the world. I know that our opponents are also scared of us. By the way, we are the Brazilians of Africa.”
With a record of having finished with the silver medals in 1989 and 2005, and with the bronze medals in 1985, the Flying Eagles are hoping to break the duck and collect the top prize in their 13th appearance at a tournament they first graced in Mexico 40 years ago.
