The Golden Eaglets Of Nigeria Set To Face Brazil

The Golden Eaglets of Nigeria victory over Australia is the joint-biggest win in the history of the FIFA U-17 World Cup knockout stages, level with Japan’s 6-0 win against their antipodean neighbours New Zealand in 2011, which also come in the Round of 16.

 After goals riot against Australia in the Round of 16 encounters at the Fifa U-17 World Cup in Chile, the Golden Eaglets will battle three-time champions Brazil for a place in the semi-final.

Carlos Nascimento’s boys sealed a place in the last eight after a late penalty gave them a 1-0 win against New Zealand.

The winner of this encounter billed for Estadio Sausalito will face either Ecuador or Mexico in the semi final at the Estadio Municipal de Concepción on November 5.

The Brazil versus Nigeria encounter is the star match of the opening day of quarter-final action at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Chile 2015.

The match is billed to kick off at 8:00pm Nigerian time.

Other fixtures of the quarter finals are:

Crotia vs  Mali 11:00pm

Monday 2, November

Ecuador vs Mexico 9:00pm

Tuesday 3, November

Belgium vs Costa Rica 12:00am

If Nigeria wins, they will face the winners between Mexico and Ecuador on Thursday.

Some stats on both teams, Nigeria and Brazil

NIGERIA

Champions on four occasions 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013.  

Runners-up on three occasions 1987, 2001, 2009.

Played  56 matches in the u-17 world cup, making 10 appearances out of 15 world cup u-17 tournaments. Won 41 matches, drew 10 matches and lost only 5 matches. The golden eaglets have scored a total of 126 goals and conceded 38goals in the process.

Notable players who shone brightly in the tournaments are Kelechi Iheanacho (2011), Macauley Chrisantus (2007), John Obi Mikel (2003), Celestine Babayaro, Wilson Oruma, Nwankwo Kanu (1993), Victor Ikpeba (1989)

BRAZIL

Champions on three occasions 1997, 1999, 2003.

Runners-up on two occasions  1995, 2005.

Played 70 matches in the u-17 world cup, making 13 appearances out of 15 world cup u-17 tournaments. Won 43 matches, drew 11 matches and lost 16 matches. The Seleção have scored a total of 154 goals and conceded 63 goals in the process.

Notable players who shone brightly in the tournaments are Ronaldinho (1997), Neymar (2009) Denilson, Anderson (2005).

Who do you think will win the match; share your views with us.  

By Adewale Adekunle