A much closer analysis has shown that the Flying Eagles will most likely face hosts Argentina after they finished as Third Best Losers in Group D.
This will most certainly be a more daunting Round of 16 clash for Nigeria.
Had they won the group, they would have faced Slovakia (B), Tunisia (E) or Honduras, France (F), while as Runners-up they battle Winners of Group E, who are most likely to be England.
The Flying Eagles biggest undoing thus far at Argentina 2023 was the missed opportunity of not beating group whipping boys by a big score, which both Brazil and Italy managed.
Now as one of the qualified Third Best Losers, the Flying Eagles have been joined by New Zealand (Group A, 4 points -4 goals).
The two other slots of Third Best Losers will only be known tonight after the conclusion of matches in Group E and F.
Slovakia (Group B 3 points +1), Japan (Group C 3 points -1), Tunisia Group E 3 points +2) and Honduras (Group F 1 point -1) are the teams currently in contention for the remaining two slots.
According to the template made available by FIFA how the Third Best Losers knockout opponents will be picked, Argentina are the most likely the next opponents of the Flying Eagles.
The current sequence of qualified Third Best Losers is ABDE and that means the Flying Eagles will face Group A Argentina.
The Flying Eagles have several options to face USA, but as many as six of these options include Japan (Group C), who have a -1 goals difference.
Slovakia (3 points +1) and Tunisia (3 points +2) are ahead of Japan.
To eliminate Tunisia from the qualification tonight, they must lost by at least 3-0 to Uruguay.
That will then bring Japan into contention.
Another permutation that could get the Flying Eagles to face the USA and not Argentina would be for pointless France to thrash Honduras at least 4-0 and hope Tunisia lose and do not draw with Uruguay.
After all the permutations, it is clear that the far bigger chance is that Nigeria will come up against the might of the host country Argentina, who have also been the tournament’s most successful team with six world titles.
A match-up against Argentina will be a most daunting challenge for coach Ladan Bosso and the boys as they will be up against a packed stadium Wednesday and even the organisers will be sympathetic to the incidental hosts.
It must also be pointed out that Argentina have a perfect record from the group stage after they won all three first round matches.
They have also been one of the most exciting teams on display at this World Cup, parading some very gifted individuals.
Their pedigree at the U20 World Cup is unrivaled – six titles and two World Footballers of the Year, Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi.
