TheCable

Flying Eagles coach, Manu Garba, is not losing sleep over the prospect of meeting five-time FIFA U-20 World Cup champions Brazil in New Zealand.

Nigeria will play in Group E with Brazil, Hungary and North Korea after winning the just concluded Africa Youth Championship in Senegal.

But Garba is ready to face any team in the May 30 to June 20 competition – even Brazil.

“Every team that will be at the World Cup has equal opportunities of winning the World Cup, so let’s not start thinking one team is the favourite,” he said.

“I believe every team that has qualified to be good because they wouldn’t be there if they aren’t good.

“So whether we are playing Brazil or not doesn’t bother me at all. It’s the same thing and all the teams will go there and prove what they can do.”

Nigeria will play Brazil in their first group match on June 1 before meeting North Korea on June 4. Their last group match is against Hungary on June 7.

All three games are scheduled for the Stadium Taranaki, in New Plymouth.