Former world youth champions Nigeria drew 1-1 with Costa Rica in their opening match at the Fifa U-17 World Championships in Finland on Wednesday. The Golden Eaglets took the lead with a goal by Ezekiel Bala after just nine minutes of the group B clash in Turku, 165 km from Helsinki.
But the South Americans grabbed an equaliser with seven minutes remaining through Josimar Arias.
Nigeria finished as runners-up two years ago in Trinidad-and-Tobago and were crowned champions in 1985 (then the age-group was U-16) and 1993.
Argentina lead the group B standings after beating Australia 2-0.
Africa's two other representatives at the tournament -Cameroon and Sierra Leone - will be in action on Thursday.
Cameroon face group C and pre-tournament favourites Brazil in Tampere.
Cameroon will have their work cut out as the Brazilians have not lost a match at the group stage since 1999.
Sierra Leone are unlikely to have an easy ride, either, when they play Spain in their first group D encounter in Lahti.
Wednesday's results:
Group A
Finland 2-1 China
Mexico 0-0 Colombia
Group B
Nigeria 1-1 Costa Rica
Argentina 2-0 Australia
MMIX
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