Former African Footballer of the Year, Nwankwo Kanu, will on Friday be hosted in Mumbai, India at the draw ceremony of the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Kanu will be joined Argentine star Esteban Cambiasso and a host of other stars from across the host country will grace the ceremony at Mumbai Sahara Star Hotel.
Kanu lifted the U-17 World Cup trophy back in 1993, scoring five goals as Nigeria were victorious in Japan.
Cambiasso was part of the Argentina side that finished third in the 1995 edition, scoring in the play-off for third place against Oman.
Neither current holders Nigeria or Cambiasso’s La Albiceleste are among the 24 qualified teams waiting with baited breath to see the outcome of the draw in Mumbai, but there are a number of first-time participants to catch the eye. Hosts India join African side Niger and Oceanian outfit New Caledonia in making their U-17 World Cup debut.
The draw will determine which teams will play at the six venues, namely Goa, Guwahati, Kochi, Kolkata, Navi Mumbai and New Delhi (where the hosts will play all their group matches).
The final will be played at the 66,600 capacity Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan stadium in Kolkata on Saturday 28 October.
Qualified teams
Africa: Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Niger
Asia: India (as hosts), Iran, Iraq, Japan, Korea DPR
Europe: England, France, Germany, Spain, Turkey
North, Central America & Caribbean: Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico, USA
Oceania: New Caledonia, New Zealand
South America: Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay
– Bowale Odutola
