FIFA U20 World Cup: Brazil sacks coach

Flying Eagles first opponent in this
year's U20 World Cup in New Zealand,
Brazil
have dismissed their coach. Alexandre Gallo was sacked Saturday by the new head
of the Brazilian FA who has been stamping his authority on the CBF since he
took over the reigns. The sacked Alexandre Gallo has since been replaced by
Rogerio Micale.

The changes brought on by the
Brazilian FA chief also affected the U23 team who will be the host for next
year's Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

The Brazilian U20 national team will
play the Flying Eagles on June 1st in the New
Zealand city of New
Plymouth, in what is the opening group match for both
sides. They are also expected to face Hungary and
Korea DPR in Group E.

Brazil will be bidding to win their sixth
world title in the U20 level. The football mad country last won the tournament
in 2011 in Trinidad and Tobago
when they defeated Portugal
in the finals 3-2. Chelsea's
midfielder Oscar scored a hat-trick on the day.

The Flying Eagles have been fine
tuning their preparations in Germany
ahead of the tournament. Just this week, the Nigerian Football Federation
announced friendly matches that the team would play against the U23 teams of Hoffenheim,
Freiburg and Nurnberg.

Manu Garba's side won the African
Youth Championship in Senegal
two months ago. The tournament that was used as qualifiers for the U20 World
Cup.

The present Flying Eagles squad is
drawn mostly from the U17 World Cup squad that triumphed in the United Arab Emirates
in 2013.

The head coach of the team, Manu
Garba will be aiming for his third world title as a coach. He was an assistant
to Yemi Tella when the Golden Eaglets where crown World Champions in 2007 in South Korea. He
achieved the same feat as head coach in 2013. And now with the same group of
players, he is aiming to become the first Nigerian coach to win the U20 World
Cup.

With the change of coach by Brazil so close
to the tournament, it remains to be seen whether it gives the Flying Eagles an
advantage ahead of the tie on June 1st.

Photo Credit: FIFA