By Akinwale Kasali
The Flying Eagles of Nigeria has booked a place in the Round of 16, the Knockout phase of the ongoing FIFA Under-20 World Cup Championship in Argentina.
Two second half goals from Salim Fago Lawal and Sunday Jude gave the Coach Ladan Bosso-team a 2-0 victory over the Gli Azzurrini of Italy.
With the victory, the Flying Eagles are top of the Group C log with Six Points courtesy of its 2-1 victory over Dominican Republic and the 2-0 win over Italy.
The victories automatically qualify Nigeria for the knockout phase of the tournament irrespective of the outcome of the other matches in the Group.
Brazil is second on the log courtesy of its 6-0 annihilation of the North America nation after its 3-2 loss to Italy in the opening match.
The last Group match between Nigeria and Brazil is, however, mere formality, but the Brazilians would be gunning for a victory to top the log.
The victory against Italy has been celebrated by soccer loving Nigerians both at home and in diaspora.
Following the victory of the Flying Eagles and their qualification to the next round of the competition, a stakeholder of Nigeria Football, Alhaji Aliyu Oroje Wammako, has pledged in Mendoza, Argentina, that if the Flying Eagles wins the coveted trophy they would be rewarded with a piece of land individually.
Wammako, who is the President of Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria, made this known on when he visited the team’s camp at Hyatt Park Hotel in Mendoza. He further charged the players to be focused ahead of the upcoming games, and implored them to play as a unit.
“I urge you to keep focus in this tournament and I pledge to give five-metre square plot of land in the Federal Capital, Abuja to each and every player if the team emerges as winners of the FIFA U20 World Cup. In the absence of triumph, I will still support the team with an amount of money that will go round everyone including the officials.
“Nigerians are hoping and praying for you and we all believe you can do it.”
