Group F of the 2007 FIFA Under-20 World Cup is finely balanced, but don't believe all the talk of there not being a real favourite in the group. That nod goes to Nigeria, the runner-up behind Argentina after a 2-1 loss in the championship game at the last U-20 World Cup in 2005 in the Netherlands.
Only a controversial Argentine penalty shot goal by Lionel Messi at 75 minutes -- now a major star -- denied Nigeria the chance to take the 2005 championship game to extra time.
Had Nigeria won, it would have been only the second soccer world championship trophy taken by an African nation at any level after Nigeria's own breakthrough gold medal victory at the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics.
Can Nigeria take it that final step in the U-20 World Cup this time? It's not out of the question. Big, strong, fast and athletic, Nigeria will be tough to beat in both Group F action and the playoff stages and should be dominant physically.
The boys in green wouldn't be out of place when the championship is decided July 22 in Toronto, although Argentina, Brazil and Spain will have plenty to say about that before it's all done.
This Nigerian team may not have the firepower of the silver-medallist 2005 squad -- which graduated Mikel John Obi to Chelsea and Taye Taiwo to Olympique Marseilles -- but this is a solid side from top to bottom with several players likely good enough for European pro futures.
Several are already there with Moses Adams and Oladapo Olufemi playing in Belgium, Akeem Agbetu in Denmark, Kingsley Salami in Wales and Ezekiel Bala in Norway. And the imposing Robert Egbeta is an absolute bulldozer in the back line at six-foot-six.
But the best bit of Nigerian U-20 player trivia in Victoria is that midfielder Nduke Ozokwor is the son of Patience Ozokwor, one of the most famous actresses in Nollywood -- which is Nigeria's answer to Hollywood and Bollywood.
These Nigerian players are part of a tradition as the Flying Eagles (like some nations, Nigeria gives its national sides nicknames) make their seventh trip to the Under-20 World Cup since 1977.
They have twice been to the championship in that span.
Nigeria's play was considered uneven at the African qualifying tournament in the Congo, but they got to Victoria and that's all the counts. All they need is the chance.
And when you're Nigeria at the Under-20 World Cup, you probably have a better chance than most.
