Nigeria and Brazil are no strangers to each other in world football. Having met a few times across all levels, except the U-17 level, a match between the two sides will create a sparkle any day in the world of football. The most recent meeting between the two countries was at the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup where the Brazilians emerged victorious over the Flying Eagles.
But the most memorable meeting between the two countries – for Nigerians – was at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics when the U-23 team defeated the Brazilians in a dramatic fashion on their way to winning the football gold of the Games. For the Brazilians, it was a day to forget as Nigeria had not been given any chance before the match.
However, when the two sides meet again on Sunday (today) at 8pm Nigerian time at the Estadio Sausalito Vina Del Mar at the quarterfinals of the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup, a new chapter will be written in the annals of the two countries as the battle will be between two little giants.
Officially at the U-17 level, Nigeria and Brazil have yet to meet at any stage of the competition despite being the two most successful teams in its history. They however met earlier this year at a four-nation tournament – the Suwon Continental Cup International Youth (U-17) Football Tournament – organised by South Korea. The Golden Eaglets beat A Canarinha (Little Canaries) 2-1 to place third at the tournament.
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