Fetuga predicts Nigeria, Brazil final

Former international, Olusegun Fetuga, is looking forward to a clash between the Golden Eaglets and Brazil for the ultimate prize at the 2013 U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

Fetuga, who played at Canada ’87 and Scotland ’89 editions of the championship, tipped  the Eaglets  to  beat Iran on Tuesday and advance  to win the trophy.

“The Brazilians have been outstanding in the competition but Nigeria have not done badly, despite playing a draw against Sweden at the group stage,” Fetuga told our correspondent in Lagos on Sunday.

“Both  sides have been the most impressive so far. It’ll be interesting to have them clash in the final; I’m looking forward to that.”

Nigeria have scored 14 goals, one less than Brazil , while both teams have players in the top scorers’ chart. Brazil’s Nathan tops the chart with four goals followed by Nigeria’s Kelechi Iheanacho with the same number of goals, and Brazil’s Boschilia,  who also have four goals.

Fetuga said the goals would not matter as much as winning, but he tipped Iheanacho and Isaac Success to finish among the top scorers.

He said, “It’ll be dangerous for any of them to go for individual glory by seeking the top scorer award instead of playing as a team. It shouldn’t matter who scores because only winning gets you to progress in the tournament.

“But I will not rule out Iheanacho and Success as contenders for the title. Both players have incredible scoring records right from the African qualifiers.”

Fetuga advised team to focus on the game at hand and pay little attention to which team they might meet at the latter stage of the tournament.