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Budding soccer star Sergio Aguero (10) leads Argentina at the FIFA U-20 World Cup. (AP Images)

World Soccer: Betting on Futbol Futures

So maybe – just maybe – I was a little premature in proclaiming African football to be on the rise at the U-20 level. A few days after qualifying four teams into the round of 16 for the first time on foreign soil, Africa was swept out of the tournament in spectacular fashion.

In the span of 96 hours:

• Gambia lost 2-1 to Austria
• Congo lost 3-0 to Mexico
• Zambia lost 2-1 to Nigeria
• Nigeria lost 4-0 to Chile

Of the four, it was the Nigerians who left the most identifiable mark on the tournament…for all the wrong reasons. After falling apart against Chile in extra time – allowing four goals in 24 minutes – the Super Eagles and their coach, Ladan Bosso, claimed that match officials Howard Webb, Darren Cann and Michael Mullarkey "showed racism" throughout the game. Most contentious was the opening goal where Chilean striker Hans Martinez set up teammate Jaime Grondona in what appeared to be an offside position.

Read more about the FIFA U-20 World Cup, the Asian Cup and European domestic leagues in Bodog Nation!

Betting on Futbol Futures!