Tough draw for Nigeria in U-17 World Cup

Hosts Nigeria have been drawn against South American giants Argentina in this year's Fifa Under-17 World Cup.

The three-time champions will also face Germany and Honduras in a tough Group A to be based in Abuja.

The Golden Eaglets, who are also the title holders of the competition, will open the tournament on 24 October against Germany.

Twenty four years ago, Nigeria defeated Germany 2-0 to win the inaugural event in China.

The other 20 teams in the tournament are drawn into five groups of four teams each.

Three-time champions Brazil head Group B based in Lagos along with Japan, Mexico and Switzerland.

African champions Gambia are in Group C in Calabar along with Iran, Colombia and the Netherlands.

Burkina Faso will be based in Group D in Enugu with Turkey, Costa Rica and New Zealand.

Group E will be in the northern city of Kano where United Arab Emirates, Malawi, Spain and the USA will play.

Group F, in Kaduna, features Uruguay, Korea, Algeria and Italy.

The competition will end on 15 November.

Fifa U-17 World Cup draw:

Group A (Abuja): Nigeria, Argentina, Germany, Honduras

Group B (Lagos): Brazil, Japan, Mexico, Switzerland

Group C (Calabar): Gambia, Iran, Colombia, Netherlands

Group D (Enugu): Burkina Faso, Turkey, Costa Rica, New Zealand

Group E (Kano): United Arab Emirates, Malawi, Spain, United States

Group F (Kaduna): Uruguay, South Korea, Algeria and Italy.

BBC Online, Aug. 7th, 2009