The Golden Eaglets of Nigeria have been drawn against champions Mexico, Iraq and Sweden in the first round of the 2013 U17 World Cup in the UAE.
Three-time world champions the Golden Eaglets will open their campaign on October 19 at the Al Ain Stadium against Mexico.
Former Eaglets chief coach, Henry Nwosu, said there are no more minnows in football but still believes the Eaglets have all it takes to go past the first round.
“There are no small teams in football again, every country play football. Even if Nigeria is grouped alongside the lowest teams in Africa at the World Cup, it will be tough,” said former schoolboy sensation Nwosu.
“Mexico and Sweden are footballing nations to an extent but I have not heard about Iraq, that is not taking anything away from them, since they made it to World Cup, they are good, but I am not afraid because looking at the calibre of players in the Eaglets and the bench, the sky will be their starting point, they will definitely go through this group.”
Mexico are the defending champions having won on home soil in 2011 and have been preparing hard ahead of the UAE 2013 as they have trained in Turkey, Austria and Malaysia.
They are also CONCACAF champions.
This is Iraq’s first time of getting to play at FIFA U17 World Cup after they finished fourth in the Asian qualifiers.
Sweden are another debutants. They lost the semi-finals at UEFA U17 Championship to eventual champions Russia through penalty shootout 10-9.
African champions Cote d’Ivoire were seeded and are in Group B along with Uruguay, New Zealand and Italy.
Tunisia are in Group D along with Venezuela, Russia and Japan, while Morocco are pitched against Uzbeskistan, Venezuela and Panama
The tournament kicks off October 17.
Group stage draw for the FIFA U–17 W/Cup UAE 2013:
Group A (Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah): United Arab Emirates, Honduras, Brazil, Slovakia
Group B (Ras Al Khaimah, Abu Dhabi): Uruguay, New Zealand, Côte d’Ivoire, Italy
Group C (Fujairah, Sharjah): Croatia, Morocco, Panama, Uzbekistan
Group D (Sharjah, Fujairah): Tunisia, Venezuela, Russia, Japan
Group E (Dubai, Al Ain): Canada, Austria, Iran, Argentina
Group F (Al Ain, Dubai): Mexico, Nigeria, Iraq, Sweden
