As the 2015 FIFA U20 World Cup draws closer, we bring you some exciting facts and stats about the Nigerian contigent to the Football Fiesta in New Zealand.
*Third choice goalkeeper Olorunleke Ojo (Giwa FC), Kingsley Sokari (Enyimba FC) and Ifeanyi Mathew (El-Kanemi Warriors) are the only players that ply their trade in Nigeria top tier league.
*Nigeria are heading to the tournament with 8 foreign pros, others are academy players.
Foreign pro's
*Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City,England)
Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium)
Success Isaac (Granada FC, Spain)
Musa Yahaya (Tottenham FC, England),
Chidiebere Nwakali (Manchester City, England)
Wilfred Ndidi (KRC Genk, Belgium)
Chiderah Eze (FC Porto, Portugal).
Bernard Bulbwa (Esperance ST,
Tunisia).
* 12 out of the final 21 players were part of the team that conquered Africa.
FROM THE PAST:
*Christopher Udemezue (1982-1987) was the first coach to handle the Flying Eagles.
* Nigeria are African Champions for a record 7 times( 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 2005, 2011, 2015).
* The Flying Eagles were Runners-Up twice(1989, 2005) and 3rd in 1985 at the FIFA U20 World Cup.
* Argentina is the most successful team with 6 titles followed by Brazil with 5.
*Ghana is the only African team to have won this tournament (2009).
* A Nigerian has never won the Golden ball award. Christopher Nwosu(1989) and Taiye Taiwo(2005) won bronze ball while Pius Ikedia(1999) and John Obi Mikel(2005) won silver balls.
* Juventus golden boy Paul Pogba won the Golden ball award in the last edition.
* Mutiu Adepoju with 3 goals is the only Nigerian to have won the silver shoe in 1989.
* In Colombia 2011, Nigeria won the FIFA fair play award.
* In New Zealand, what can the Eagles do??
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