BY JOHN EGBOKHAN
Three-time champions, Golden Eaglets have been handed a tough and tricky draw for the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup in United Arab Emirates from October 17 to November 8.

The Eaglets, winners in 1985, 1993 and 2005, and unarguably Nigeria’s most decorated team in FIFA tournaments, were paired alongside Mexico, Sweden and Iraq, at a colourful ceremony held last night at the Al-Saqr conference suite at Fairmont Bab El Bahr Hotel.

Golden Eaglets

Eaglets matches will be at the Al Ain Stadium in Dubai and they will fancy their chances of progressing to the second round of the tournament. They emerged runners-up at the CAN U-17 tournament held in Morocco in April. Ivory Coast won the tournament.

Eaglets opening match of the tournament is against defending champions Mexico on October 19 at the Al Ain Stadium. It promises to be an enthralling match as the Mexicans are also the CONCAF champions while the Eaglets are on the bounce after failing to qualify for the last two editions of the U-17 World Cup.

The Baby Elephants have been drawn to face 2011 runners-up Uruguay and European qualifying tournament runners-up Italy in Group B, along with New Zealand.

Africa’s other representatives, Morocco and Tunisia, were drawn in Groups C and D respectively.

Morocco have Croatia, Panama and Uzbekistan to contend with for a place in the last 16 while the Tunisians must navigate past Russia, Venezuela and Japan if they are to scale the first round hurdle.

In other draws, UAE will meet Brazil, Honduras and Slovakia, with the opening match October  17 seeing the hosts battle Honduras at Mohammed Bin Zayed stadium in Abu Dhabi.

The presence of Nigeria and Brazil, who are the most successful nations in tournament history in this edition has made the tournament a spectacular one for fans. Both sides are seeking to lay the foundations for their fourth triumph at this level