Striker Taiwo Awoniyi opens up on the Flying Eagles quest win the FIFA U-20 World Cup for Nigeria for the first time in New Zealand. He speaks about the huge expectations on the African champions, his dreams as well as what makes the Flying Eagles tick.

What do you expect at the FIFA U20 World Cup in New Zealand with Nigeria?

With the preparations we have done, we want to be world champions in New Zealand. Every game will be a cup final for us in New Zealand.

What do you know about your opponents (Brazil, North Korea and Hungary)?

We are yet to watch any video clips of our opponents, but our coaches have concentrated fully on preparing us for whatever challenges we will come across. We are ready.

hat is the Nigerian teams' strength?

Our biggest strength is outside the pitch of play, which is the unity among the players. We are a big, happy family.

What are your own personal strengths?

Scoring goals comes naturally to me. I also keep the ball upfront and try and bring my teammates into the attack. I play for the team as well.

Nigeria has been excellent at the U17 level (4 world championships), but has not done the business at U-20 level. Why do you think is that?

We need continuity in the various national teams. I believe if there is continuity as is the case with us now, from U-17 to U-20, we can change all that.

Is this the year where this will change?

We are very hopeful as we are focused on winning the cup.

You have already won the World Cup (U-17). Has this changed your life? And if yes, how did it change?

It changed the lives of most of us, we got clubs abroad and this changed the lives of our families. I was able to build a house for myself, like most of the other players in the team.

You have also won the African Youth Championship in Senegal this year, how will you cope if you fail to win a third title?

Football is unpredictable. We are African champions and we want to prove ourselves again at the World Cup. I don't want to think of failure in New Zealand because I believe in this team.

You have been linked with a number of top clubs. Is it difficult for you to put all that aside and concentrate on the job ahead?

My handler has been on the case and we are almost finalised on where I will play. This has given me the confidence to focus on the task ahead. He took care of me right from the start of my career.

How and when did you start with football?

I played in school and then I joined United Academy in Kwara State. I later moved to Imperial Soccer Academy and thereafter I joined the Nigeria U-15, then U-17 and now the U-20.

Are you still going to school? If not, when did you stop?

I have six As, 2 Bs and a C at O'levels. My best result was in physics. I hope at some point in my life I could major in mechanical engineering.