Nigeria, dominated by as many as six players from FC Hearts, will today begin the defence of the FC Bayern Youth World Cup.
The Class of 2022 won the competition, scooping all the individual awards and producing as many as eight players on the Tournament XI.
FC Hearts midfielder David Emmanuel from the Class of 2022 will now continue his development at the Bayern Global Academy.
Another FC Hearts star, Daniel Francis, signed a professional contract with Bayern Munich.
FC Hearts have as many as six players on the Class of 2023 squad including Saviour Mathias.
From Saturday morning at the Olympic Stadium in Munich Nigeria will begin their title defence against Germany, USA, Argentina, Mexico, India and fellow Africans South Africa and Rwanda, who will be making their debuts at the world finals.