Sports Minister backs Nigeria to emulate U20 World Cup winning Ghana in Indonesia

By Saheed Afolabi

Minister of Youth and Sport, Sunday Dare has urged the Nigeria U20 team to focus on winning the U20 FIFA World Cup in Indonesia.

After recording a podium finish in the U20 AFCON in Egypt, the Flying Eagles are among the four Africa teams to represent the continent at the U20 FIFA World Cup in May.

Dare, however tasked Ladan Bosso’s side to follow in the footsteps of Ghana on claiming the World Cup title, while appealing for adequate preparations to the team from the Nigeria Football Federation leadership.

“You have returned from Egypt with the bronze medals and the FIFA World Cup ticket, and a few other prizes, but the FIFA World Cup is in a few weeks and I want you to focus your mind on winning it for Nigeria for the first time,” the sports ministry supremo told the team on their return to Nigeria.

“I understand Ghana is the only African country that has won the FIFA U20 World Cup. If Ghana can win it, why not Nigeria? I am happy about your performance in Egypt because you were able to come from a position of adversity, a depressing loss to The Gambia in the semi final and to fire on all cylinders to defeat Tunisia for the bronze medals.

“That is the spirit that the Government and people of Nigeria want you to take to the World Cup. We are on the same page with the NFF on adequate preparation of our National Teams for matches and competitions, and I believe they will provide you with good-enough preparation for the global finals in Indonesia.”

The Flying Eagles will be making their 13th appearance at the U20 FIFA World Cup in 2023, 40 years after their forgettable debut at Mexico 1983. The West African nation’s best finish was as runners up twice in 1989 and 2005.