The Flying Eagles go into today’s game against Guatemala in the FIFA U-20 World Cup as clear favourites, what more with an African record of eight appearances in the competition but never won the title despite two final games in 1989 and 2005.

Team coach, John Obuh knows this but will neither  let it get into him nor the players especially after the poor run in their preparations both in Germany and Panama where their goal potency was anything but impressing.

Already some Nigerians have expressed worry over the team’s inability to score goals and have concluded they will not go far in the competition. Some others, especially ex players like Paul Hamilton and Felix Owolabi have called for patience from Nigerians, believing the team would improve as the competition progresses.

The backbone of the team comes from the Golden Eaglets who finished runners-up at the last FIFA U-17 World Cup on home soil two years ago. Players like Edafe Egbedi, Ramon Azeez, captain of the team and Terry Envoh, who came on as a substitute to score the winner in the final against Cameroon, are some of the players Obuh is relying on to contend for the title and emulate Ghana’s Black Satellites who stunned the world two years ago in Egypt to become the first African side to win the trophy.

*Flying Eagles ... Ready for battle.

With VVV Venlo striker, Ahmed Musa not bugged by club commitments, the Flying Eagles may just run over Guatemala if they are able to convert their chances unlike their experience during the friendlies.

However, the central Americans must not be underrated because with a vastly experienced coach in Ever Almeida, the team could prove nutty and cause Obuh’s boys to sweat and gnash their teeth in this vital opener where full marks will go a long way in determining if they can qualify from the group.

They have balance and are capable of defending resolutely when the need arises, and can get forward quickly to exploit spaces with their measured passing.

“We’ll be giving it everything we’ve got. Our goal is obviously to win and bring some happiness to a lot of people,” said the coach after they qualified for the World Cup.