The build-up to the FIFA U-20 World Cup is getting tensed with barely 72 hours to kick-off.
As expected, the attention of football scouts will be drawn to New Zealand, where the latest edition of the tournament is set to take place.
However, a new champion will emerge as the tournament’s reigning champions (France) will not be able to defend their crown after failing to qualify.
The 21-man squad presented by Nigeria for the tournament has been rated as the youngest for the tournament.
Made up largely of members of the 2013 Golden Eaglets squad that conquered the world in the United Arab Emirates, the world football governing body revealed that the average age of the Nigeria team is 18 years and nine months.
READ ALSO: FIFA U-20 World Cup: Nigeria Presents Youngest Squad
In no particular order, check out 5 players you can’t take your eyes of at the tournament. These 5 players all have one thing at the back of their minds, ‘Victory’’.
Giovanni Simeone – Argentina
Argentina will be present at this tournament and with a formidable squad, the young Argentine lads will be gunning for victory.
One player to look out for is Giovanni Simeone, son of Argentine international and Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone.
Simeone was the top scorer at this year’s South American U-20 Championship scoring nine goals in as many games.
With a fast pace, good movement of the ball and a goal poacher, Simeone will be one of the hot favourites in the running for the tournament top scorer’s golden boot.
Kelechi Iheanacho – Nigeria
Perhaps the attacking force for Nigeria, Iheanacho will have his eye on the ultimate goal.
The Manchester city forward has been labelled by some as the next big thing to emerge from African football. The Nigerian Fifa U-17 side won the tournament, a tournament which Nigeria has won more than any other country. It has however failed to take out the U-20 despite making the final twice, something Iheanacho will be looking to change.
Andreas Pereira – Brazil
Manchester united midfielder, Andreas Periera is one player to look out for.
The Belgian-born Pereira looks like a neat prospect indeed, having starred in an attacking midfield role for the Reds devils’ reserves and impressing sufficiently enough to make his Premier League debut from the bench in March.
His eye for sublime passes would be very essential in Brazil quest for victory.
Taiwo Awoniyi – Nigeria

This young lad moved from his marginal role at the 2013 Under-17 world youth championship to being an integral part of the Under-20s in qualifying games and at the tournament proper.
He finally cementing his position as Nigeria’s top teen with a brace against Zambia to qualify Nigeria for the All Africa Games after he was drafted to the team following a 0-0 draw at home in the first leg.
Taiwo Awoniyi has been a special revelation this year. Everyone watched with awesome wonder how the young lanky striker has matured into a top notch footballer.
Awoniyi scored 6 goals to win both the highest goal scorer and the most valuable player (MVP) at the Super 6 tournament in February. In March, he spearheaded the strike force of Nigeria’s U20 team, Flying Eagles, to win CAF African U20 Championship in Senegal. He scored 3 goals to become the second highest goal scorer, behind his captain, Muhammad Musa.
Gedion Zelalem – USA
Gedion Zelalem will bolster the US national team after clearing various FIFA hurdles to compete for the side. The Arsenal midfielder has had senior game time for the Premier League giant and looks set to join the ranks as a regular in the future.
Dubbed to be his side’s play-maker, Zelalem will pick holes in the defence of his opponents and is sure to help the US find the back of the net.
Nigeria drawn against Brazil, North Korea and Hungary in Group E, will be looking to win the U-20 World cup for the first time.
The FIFA U-20 World Cup is less about great teams than great individuals. It’s a genuine opportunity to see some of tomorrow’s stars shine.

President Muhammadu Buhari’s pledge to crush the Boko Haram sect is one of the top news on the covers of today’s newspapers.
Naij.com brings to you the top news on The Vanguard, The Nation, The Punch, Thisday, Daily Sun and Complete Sports newspapers:
The Vanguard:
* I Renew My Pledge To Crush Boko Haram-Buhari
* Badeh, Amosu Relocate To Maiduguri Tomorrow
* Senate Approves Life Sentence For Rape; 10 Yrs For Incest
* Senate Passes 46 Bills In 10 Minutes
* Alleged Fraud: Ex-Borno Gov, Sheriff Surrenders To EFCC
* War Crimes: Nigeria, Amnesty Trade Words

This Day:
* N8bn Currency Scam: Suspects Bought Properties In South Africa, Nigeria
– Own Fuel Stations, Fat Bank Accounts
* Anger Mounts Over AI’s Report Berating The Military But Silent On Boko Haram Atrocities
– DHQ Dismisses Report As Blackmail, Buhari Promises Review
– Terror Sect Strikes Again In Maiduguri,Kills Six
* Senate Mocks Lawmaking, Passes 46 Bills Without Legislation In 10 Minutes
– Okays President’s Request For 15 Special Advisers

The Punch:
* Al Wants Ihejirika , Badeh, Others Probed For War Crimes
– Asks ICC, Buhari To Launch Investigayions
– N8bn Fraud: Cash Assistant Has N134m In One Account, Says EFCC
* FG May Cancel N9.2bn Clean Cooking Stove Contract
* Ondo Community Imposes Following Regents’s Abduction
* Fayose’s Thugs Beat Up PUNCHman In Ekiti
* EFCC Quizzes Ex-Borno Gov, Modu Sheriff
* Senate Passes Anti-Rape Bill, 45 Others In 10 Minutes
* Nigerians Won’t Regret Electing Me, Says Buhari
* APC, Lawmakers-Elect Meet Today Over N’Assembly Leadership

The Nation:
* Gunmen Abduct 45-Year-Old Ondo Regent, Three Aides
* Ministries Row Over Missing N500m Inauguration Cash
* Lawan ‘ll Unite APC, PDP Senators, Says Unity Forum
* Alleged N300b Fraud: EFCC Grills ex-Governor Sheriff
* CBN Officials, Others Acquired Estates In South Africa, Nigeria, Court Told
* Buhari Vows To Track And Destroy ‘Evil’ Boko Haram
* Nigeria Troops To Take Over Liberated Towns
* Gunmen Kill French Tourist

The Union:
* Senate Passes Bills In 10 Mins
* Nigeria Loses N2trn To Tax Evasion
* Senate Presidency: Consensus Candidate Tears APC Apart
* Rot In FIFA Like Overheated Transformer – Amos Adamu

Daily Sun:
* Senate Passes 46 Bills In 10 Minutes
– Rapists Now Get Life Sentence
* Amnesty Alleges War Crimes In Nigeria
– Seeks Probe Of Defence Chief, Ex-Army Chiefs Over Deaths Of 8,000 Civilians
– Military Accuses Agency Of Sympathy For Boko Haram
* Customs Officer Batter Lagos Airport Guards
* Buhari: We’ve Started Process Of Ending Insurgency
– Meets Nigerians In Niger Republic
* Lagos Fuel Fire: Victims Count Losses
– We lost Millions Of Naira

Complete Sports:
* Enyeama, 9 Others Beat Deadline
– 13 Foreign Now In Camp
* Celtic Join Babatunde Chase
* Mourinho Denies Griezmann Move
* Madrid Reject United’s £110m Bale, Varane Bids

* Ignalo Sure Chad’ll Fall
– As 11 Eagles Train In Abuja
* Ahead OF Champions League Final
– Iniesta Aims To Match Seedorf mark
– Injury Scare For Chiellini
Mikel Sanctions Dubai Move Talks
-Eagles Star’s Agent To Meet Al Ain Officials On Friday
* Hungary Coach Targets Flying Eagles Scalp
* Djokovic Routs Nadal At French Open, Serena Rolls Into Semifinals
* Chelsea Grab £998m In Prize Money
* We Took Bribes To Vote S/Africa 2010
– Blatter Says FIFA Executive Committee Accepted Bribes For World Cup Votes
– S/Africa Deny $10m W/Cup Bribe
* Benitez: I’ve Come Back Home
– Spainard Unveiled As New Real Madrid Boss

Nigeria’s Super Eagles won their first match at the ongoing 2017 Africa Cup Of Nations (AFCON) qualifier in Kaduna, northern Nigeria.
Gbolahan Salami scored in the 63rd minute, while Odion Ighalo’s introduction in the second half ensured a comfortable 2-0 win against Chad for Stephen Keshi’s boys.
The talking point pf the game was when Ogenyi Onazi was given his marching orders in the 79th minute for needlessly shoving aside a Chadian player after Nigeria had won a penalty against their west African neighbour.
Nigeria’s next match is away to Tanzania on September 6, 2015 in the group which also has seven-time African Champions, Egypt.

---

90’+3 Full Time at the Ahmadu Bello, Kaduna. Gbolahan Salami and Odion Ighalo win it for the west African giants
93’+ Time up here, referee may end the match any moment…
91’+ Nigeria are employing delay tactics here and may eventually add a third despite the numerical disadvantage
90’+ Three minutes of added time here at the Ahmadu Bello stadium, Kaduna
89′ Final minute of regulation time here, it seems Nigeria will eventually win this match. Lovely piece of skill by Rabiu Ibrahim. Nigeria’s new Jay-Jay Okocha, perhaps
87′ Final sub for Chad as the linesman rules another attacker offside. Goal kick to Nigeria
84′ Substitution for Nigeria and Chad. John Ogu comes in for Gbolahan Salami while Dany Marl Max in comes for Chad
82′ Numerical advantage counting already for the Chadians, who are moving forward in droves as another Chadian gets a booking. Gbolahan falls under a Chadian challenge. Corner kick to Nigeria, played over
80′ GOALLL! Ighalo scores from the spot for Nigeria
79′ RED CARD! Absurdity here as Ogenyi Onazi gets his marching orders for needlessly shoving a Chadian player off. Ighalo takes the penalty…
77′ Nigeria dominating possession here, building up gradually from midfield… and there’s a PENALTY for Nigeria!
74′ BOOKING Kevin Nicaise booked for bringing down Ighalo and Rabiu Ibrahim’s curling free-kick was almost in for the Nigerian team
72′ Gbolahan Salami’s second step over in this match almost resulted in a brace for the Warri Wolves point man, but the Chadian goalkeeper saves
70′ Supporters inside the stadium cheering the players to victory here and the Eagles are rewarding them with a good display “Losing to Nigeria is never a shame,” says the commentator. Reckless challenge by Omeruo, and he goes into the referee’s bad book. Free-kick played, cleared!
66′ Nigeria seriously pressing for a second goal here as they grow in confidence. Ighalo and Rabiu Ibrahim’s introduction seem to have sparked the Eagles to life
63′ Gbolahan Salami balloons the ball into the net for Nigeria as Eagles take the lead and the Nigerian almost doubled their effort
63′ GOAL!!!
58′ BOOKING! Chadian attacker booked for a harsh challenge on Leon Balogun and double substitution for Nigeria. Rabiu Ibrahim comes in for Babatunde Michael, Chad also makes a substitution; Mahamat Labbo comes in for 10 Shirt player
57′ Great job by the Eagles defence to keep Chad at bay but the resultant effort goes out of play
55′ ALMOST! The free-kick hits the upright and the Chadians clear
54′ An incursion by Gbolahan Salami earns the Nigerians a free kick just outside the eighteen-yard box, free kick taken…
52′ Referee wrongly rules Gbolahan Salami offside
50′ Nice build-up play by the Eagles, but all that ended up in a clearance by the Chadians
48′ Two quick chances by the Nigerians as they go out in search of an early goal in the second half but both chances were well covered by the Chadians
46′ Chad make the first foray forward and the shot at goal was saved by Enyeama again in the first kick of the second half
Note that the highest ranking of the Chadian national team is 133rd while Nigeria was once ranked 5th in the world as the second half kicks off
Mallam Nasir El-Rufai speaking to Super Sport here: “It should be the new home of the Super Eagles. The Super Eagles should fully relocate to Kaduna because we have a good atmosphere here.”

The Chadians grew in confidence at a point in the match and almost took the lead. The Nigerians allowed the Chadians too much chance in the first half and save some moments of ingenuity by Ahmed Musa and Babatunde Michael as well as the predatory instincts of Gbolahan Salami, the Nigerian team played a second fiddle to the neighbours
This is the first time that Nigeria is playing Chad in a competitive match at the senior level and the very first time that the new jersey is being worn by the senior national team after the Flying Eagles and Super Falcons
45’+1 Half Time here at the Ahmadu Bello stadium, Kaduna. Goalless it ended as there was no clear cut chance in the first half
45’+ One minute added here after the first 45 minutes and here we go…
42′ Babatunde being treated as play commences here. Governor Mallam El-Rufai of Kaduna state and Amanju Pinnick, the NFF President are both here at the Ahmadu Bello stadium in Kaduna.
41′ Leon Balogun has been Nigeria’s best defender all evening. Babatunde brought down a gain and Nigeria’s free-kick brought a collision between Babatunde Michael and the Chadian goalkeeper
40′ Babatunde fouled close to Chad’s eighteen-yard box and the resultant free kick goes into touch for a throw-in to the Super Eagles
38′ SAVE Incredible save by Enyeama there, absolutely world class as Nigeria clears for a throw in
36′ Ninga Casimir of Chad booked for deliberately handling the ball. History is being made here today…
35′ Humidity here in Kaduna is high and the players quickly go for a water break for a minute… action resumes
33′ Nigeria dominating possession here despite the draw. Aaron Samuel tries a delightful effort. Gbolahan Salami almost opens the account for Nigeria but the goal keeper saves and the resultant effort goes off the post
32′ Chad playing really defensively here and conceded a corner kick off a Babatunde cross. Ahmed Musa takes the corner kick and Leon Balogun gets his head on the ball, but it goes off target
30′ Fifteen minutes before half time, no goal yet from either side at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna
28′ Gbolahan Salami does a step over and goes down under a challenge but the referee says play on
26′ Free-kick conceded by Chad. Gbolahan kicks, nothing comes out of it
25′ Leon Balogun fouled close to Nigeria’s eight yard box and fee kick goes to Nigeria
22′ Ahmed Musa’s free-kick almost went in and the corner by the Russia-based player’s corner kick was well wasted. Chadians go for a counter and the tame effort is saved by Enyeama
21′ Michael Babatunde’s trickish effort goes off the goal mark. Gbolahan Salami fouled for the third time and Marius Mbaiam gets the first yellow card in this match
19′ Skillful display by Ahmed Musa, his effort was cleared by the Chadians as Nigeria tries to find an early goal
17′ A major scare here for the Eagles as the Chadians try to get one past Enyeama and the Nigerians concede a corner kick. Kick taken, another scare, but… the defenders clear.
15′ Freekick to Chad from their half as they try to come at the Eagles, but it amounts to nothing. Fifteen minutes gone here and there has not been any particular pattern of play from either side
11′ No clear cut chance here all evening as the players are still trying to create meaningful chances.
9′ Gbolahan Salami proving to be a thorn in the flesh of the Chadians as he goes down under another challenge.
7′ Chad take a free-kick into Nigeria’s half but it was of no effect. A shot goals swinging but it was well off target
5′ The pitch looks bumpy, but both sides are coping fine. Vincent Enyeama, Nigeria’s captain and goalie, is oozing with confidence as always. as Nigerians try incursions into the Chadians’ half
3′ Gbolahan Salami brought down, Onazi protested, but there was no booking
2′ Both sides sizing each other here as the Nigerians try to penetrate the Chadians early on in the game
1′ Kick off, Nigeria starts the match, playing from left to right.

A 16 year old Nigerian footballer, Shetemi Ayetigbo, died on the pitch during a league match on Sunday. 
Shetimi who plays as a midfielder for the U-16 team of Belvedere Football Club in Dublin, Ireland was reported by the Daily Mirror to have suddenly slumped on the pitch some 30mins into their teams match against St Kevin’s Boys.
A witness at the match said “There was no incident, any attack. The young lad was playing, and he just dropped on the pitch. It was around 25 to 30 minutes into the game.”
“A number of people rushed to his side straight away to give him first aid, as there was a defibrillator at the grounds. An ambulance came, and paramedics tried to treat him there. But he couldn’t be saved.”
“They then took his body to the hospital. The match was cancelled. Everyone was in shock. The young players, staff, and supporters had never witnessed anything like that on a football pitch. There were a good few people watching the match because it was the last game of the season.”
 Yaya Toure’s Ex-Boss Dumps Him For Enyeama
Family members of the deceased were not present at the game but family friends who accompanied the ambulance to Beaumont Hospital were told the news of his death.

Medics claim that the footballer might Shetemi may have suffered from a form of the sudden death syndrome despite the medical examiners havingnot performed a post-motem on the young footballer.
Shetimi attended Donabate Community College and used to play for his school team and Home Farm FC before joining Belvedere FC. His teammates called him ‘Shay’

Super Eagles number one and Nigeria’s best goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama seems to have played his last game for the Nigeria after his comments about the safety of Kaduna to host last Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Chad.
According to top football sources, Enyeam had been issued a warning letter by two top NFF officials. The Lille goalkeeper tore the letter infront of the two and his name was moved to the NFF disciplinary committee for further investigation and possible punishment.
Former Super Eagles midfielder, Garba Lawal confirmed the incident to Punch and said: “I’m aware of that (Enyeama’s action). The Secretary of the federation told me. Who is Vincent Enyeama? This football we also played. Even if you are not going to answer a query, you can just hold it to yourself. I think that is very disrespectful.”
Full Time: NGR Salami 63′, Ighalo 80′ (2-0) Chad (AFCON Qualifier)
The whole problem had began when Enyeama who as the leader of the players questioned if Kaduna was safe enough to host Nigerian matches due to the Boko Harama crisis.
The statement generated a lot of reactions with the NFF issuing a strongly worded statement afterwards, with NFF president, Amaju Pinnick, saying, “Kaduna State has always been a perfect ground for all national teams, and a city in love with football. We are excited anytime we bring a match of the national team to Kaduna, because we are always sure of massive support for our team.”
 SO SAD: Nigerian Footballer Slumps And Dies On The Pitch In Europe
The NFF has come out to dismiss the news going around that Big boss Stephen Keshi was issued a query.
The NFF source said: “Yes, Enyeama got a query but it is not true about Keshi. I hope that Nigerians will just let Keshi be so that he can face his job squarely.
 Yaya Toure’s Ex-Boss Dumps Him For Enyeama
“As for Vincent, the statement credited to him about the venue was quite political rather than having anything to do with sports. The query is to enable us to hear his side of the story and be certain of exactly what he said. He could have been quoted out of context and so it is just an opportunity to set the record right.”
Vincent Enyeama is Nigeria’s most capped player and definately Nigeria’s top player at the moment.
He has been one of the stables of the Nigerian team since his debut against England in the 2002 World Cup.

Vincent Enyeama will be welcoming a new boss next season and surprisingly, this new boss deserted Africa’s best player, Yaya Toure to team up with the Super Eagles skipper.
According to a report by www.losc.fr, Lille Metropole Fc will have former Ivory coast and Zambia coach, Havre Renard as its new handler at the Ligue 1 club.
The French born coach will take over at Lille from Rene Girard who is leaving by mutual consent after two seasons in charge of the Ligue 1 side.
AFCON 2017 Qualifiers: Super Eagles Kick-offs Campaign
“It is an honour to take over a club as prestigious as Lille,” the Frenchman told the club’s official website.
He added, “I look forward to starting my adventure with this group. A very exciting challenge is looming on the horizon.”
The 46-year-old gaffer, who resigned as Ivory Coast coach three days ago, is to sign a three-year deal on Tuesday.
The Frenchman led Zambia and Ivory Coast to African Nations Cup titles in 2012 and 2015 respectively.
This development, marks a return to French football for Renard, who coached Sochaux between 2013 and 2014, before which he enjoyed success in leading Zambia to AFCON glory in 2012, then repeated the feat with Ivory Coast earlier this year.
Lille finished eighth this season.

President Muhammadu Buhari on July 8 has listed his expectations from the meeting with American President Barack Obama.
Nigeria’s leader hopes that his forthcoming meeting with American president will further fortify relationship between Nigeria and the United States of America.
According to Femi Adesina, the presidential spokesman, Buhari spoke at a meeting with the US Deputy Secretary of State, Anthony J. Blinken, inside the Aso Rock in Abuja.
 Buhari To Visit One Of The Most Respected World Leaders 
The president said his talks with Obama would also give impulsion to his government’s efforts to get over the challenge of insurgency.
Buhari said he was also seeking greater support from the US for the Multinational Joint Task Force being organised against Boko Haram.
The president noted that Nigeria and other Gulf of Guinea nations will also greet more collaboration from the US to intensify maritime security in the Gulf and curb crude oil theft.
On his own turn, Blinken sympathized with Nigeria’s leader and all Nigerians over the recent loss of lives in terrorist attacks.
Blinken said he was certain that President Buhari’s election will further spread out the frontiers of the existing relationship between Nigeria and the United States.
He assured Buhari that American administration will be ready to discuss all matters put forward by the Nigerian government during Buhari’s visit to Washington DC.
 Main Agenda For Buhari-Obama Visit Revealed
It should be noted that U.S. President will host Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari at the White House on July 20.

New details emerge over the meeting of President Muhammadu Buhari and his American counterpart Barack Obama on July 20.
Nigerian Pilot reports that US President is planning to discuss same-sex marriage with Buhari during his visit to White House.
Linda Thomas-Greenfield, American assistant secretary of state for African affairs, made this known on July 13, during a live-web chat with journalists in Washington DC.
Obama Celebrates Gay Marriage Rulling
She stated that they would continue to compel Nigeria to authorise gay marriage.
Thomas-Greenfield said: ”As a government, it is one of the highest priorities and strongest values that discrimination against anyone based on their sexual orientation and gender identity is wrong. We believe human rights should be available to everybody. As a policy, we will continue to press the government of Nigeria, as well as other governments who have provided legislation that discriminate against the LGBT community.”
”This is very much a work in progress, but I think you will agree with me that the law in Nigeria really went far in discriminating against this community but also people who associate with them. So, we will continue to press the government, to press the legislature to change these laws and provide human rights for all Nigerian people regardless of their sexual orientation”.
The White House announced in a statement that Obama would host Presidentr Buhari in a symbolic show of solidarity, during which they would discuss on fighting Boko Haram insurgents as well as economic and political subjects.
 Buhari To Visit One Of The Most Respected World Leaders
President Buhari has said his visit to USA will strengthen the ties between the two countries.
It should be also noted that Supreme Court of USA on Friday, June 26, ruled that same-sex couples can marry nationwide, establishing a new civil right and handing gay rights a historic victory.