Nigeria v Dominican Republic: Match preview as 2023 FIFA U20 World Cup kicks off in Argentina

The stage is set for an enthralling clash as Nigeria’s U20 team, the Flying Eagles, prepares to face the Dominican Republic in their opening game of the 2023 U20 FIFA World Cup.

The highly anticipated match will take place at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza, Argentina, on Sunday, May 21st, 2023.

Nigeria will aim to start their campaign on a positive note and secure a victory to boost their chances of progressing to the next phase of the competition.

On the other hand, the Dominican Republic will be eager to prove their mettle and potentially cause an upset in their debut appearance at the tournament.

Preview

Nigeria, a two-time finalist in the U-20 World Cup, are determined to make history and clinch their maiden title.

The Flying Eagles, though, arrive as the third-best team in Africa after claiming the bronze medal at the U20 Africa Cup of Nations. 

Meanwhile, the Dominican Republic will aim to prove their worth on the international stage and make a statement in their tournament debut.

Starting with a win over Nigeria could be a difficult task, though. The Flying Eagles look set to take all three points at stake as they will be of confidence after their hard-fought 3-3 draw against Colombia in their last warm-up game in midweek.

Nigerian team news

The Flying Eagles enter the match with a fully fit squad, devoid of any injury concerns.

Manager Ladan Bosso is expected to field a formidable lineup of players who have shown exceptional form during their preparations.

Key players such as Daniel Daga, Lawal Fago, Daniel Bameyi, Benjamin Frederick, and Samson Lawal will likely feature prominently in the starting lineup. 

Dominican team watch

The Dominican Republic, making their debut in the U20 FIFA World Cup, face a challenging task against an experienced Nigerian side.

Led by coach Walter Rosales, the Dominican team must be at their best to compete against the Nigerians.

While they had a remarkable run in the 2022 CONCACAF U20 tournament, reaching the finals, they suffered a 6-0 defeat to the USA.

However, their journey to this stage highlights their potential and determination to make an impact in the tournament.

Head-to-head

This encounter marks the first meeting between Nigeria’s U20 team and the Dominican Republic’s U20 team.

With both teams aiming to make an impact in the tournament, it remains to be seen how their contrasting experiences and playing styles will influence the match’s outcome

Match prediction

Considering Nigeria’s strong form in recent games and their wealth of experience in U20 competitions, they are considered the favorites to come out on top in this clash.

The Flying Eagles’ robust pedigree, coupled with their attacking prowess, give them an edge over the Dominican Republic.

However, the Dominican team’s desire to prove themselves on the world stage cannot be underestimated, and they may pose a challenge for the Nigerians.

Ultimately, expect Nigeria to secure a victory in their opening match of the tournament.

Nigeria’s possible lineup (4-3-3 formation)

Goalkeeper: Chijioke Aniagboso
Defenders: Daniel Bameyi, Benjamin Frederick, Solomon Abalaka, Augustine Njoku
Midfielders: Daniel Daga, Samson Lawal, Victor Eletu
Forwards: Ibrahim Abdullahi, Lawal Fago, Haliru Sarki

Match details

The crucial clash between Nigeria’s Flying Eagles and the Dominican Republic U20 team is scheduled to kick off at 8:00 pm on Sunday at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza, Argentina. 

This encounter marks the beginning of their journey in Group D of the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup.