FIFA U20 World Cup: Ladan Bosso set to end Nigeria’s winless run against Brazil

Head coach of the Nigeria U20 men’s national team, Ladan Bosso, expressed confidence in his side readiness to settle score against the young Samba boys of Brazil on Friday.

Flying Eagles will face the five-time champions in their last group match of the ongoing FIFA U20 World Cup.

This will be the fifth meeting between the two sides at the cadet U20 level with Nigeria winless in all.

In 1985, the Brazilians ran out 2-0 winners over Nigeria in the semi-finals and went ahead to lift the trophy while the Flying Eagles defeated the host Soviet Union on penalties to clinch the bronze medals.

Two years later, in Chile, Brazil walloped the Flying Eagles 4-0 in their opening game and the Nigerians boys never recovered from the stunning defeat.

However, the 2005 Group F opening match ended goalless in the Netherlands but Nigeria finished ahead of Brazil on the podium taking the Silver medal while Brazil took the Bronze at the end of the championship.

The most recent clash between the sides took place in the 2015 edition, where Brazil emerged victorious in a captivating six-goal thriller, winning 4-2.

Meanwhile, Ladan Bosso and his wards are prepared to end this misery to secure a win this time around and finish top of Group D.

Although, Nigeria already qualified for the next round with two wins from two but a win against Brazil will make a statement of intent.

“Yes, we acknowledge that Brazil has always been a hard nut to crack for our team at this level,” he said during the press conference.

“We have lost a number of matches to them over the decades, but there is always a first time. We are riding on a wave of robust confidence and though we do not underrate them, we certainly do not fear them.

“We have been able to fulfill our first objective for this championship: getting to the knockout stages.

“We will take it one match at a time from now onwards. We don’t want to take it easy and lose against Brazil; that will not be good for our winning mentality.”

On his part, NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, who visited the team in Argentina, told newsmen on Friday that the Flying Eagles have the capacity to win and top their Group D.

“Presently, Nigeria is the only team with six points in the group. Italy can beat the Dominican Republic and also go to six points,” said the NFF scribe

“So, with the minimum of a slight win or draw against Brazil, we will top the group. It is important to top the group and also to sustain our spirit of winning.”