Nigeria’s U-20 national team, the Flying Eagles, have landed in Cairo, Egypt, as they finalise preparations for the upcoming Africa U-20 Cup of Nations. A squad of 24 players and nine officials, led by Head Coach Aliyu Zubairu, arrived at Cairo International Airport on Sunday evening aboard an Egypt Air flight.
The team has settled into their base at Jewel Sports City and Aqua Resort and will hold their first training session on Monday evening. As part of their build-up to the tournament, they will take on the host nation Egypt in a friendly match scheduled for Tuesday evening at the Cairo International Stadium. Kick-off is set for 5 pm local time 4pm in Nigeria.
The 17th edition of the U-20 AFCON will run from 27 April to 18 May, with Nigeria’s first match taking place against Tunisia at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo on Thursday, 1 May.
The tournament will also serve as the African qualifiers for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile. The four teams that reach the semi-finals will earn the right to represent the continent on the world stage.
Editorial
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As the Flying Eagles touch down in Cairo, there’s a renewed sense of anticipation and cautious optimism. Nigeria’s U-20 team has a proud history in youth football, and the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations presents both a chance to reclaim continental dominance and secure a place at the global showcase later this year in Chile.
Coach Aliyu Zubairu has a unique opportunity here to shape not just a competitive team, but a group of young players who could soon graduate into the senior national team. Youth tournaments have always been a fertile ground for Nigerian football. Think of the careers that began here: Mikel Obi, Taye Taiwo, Victor Osimhen. The blueprint is there.
This upcoming friendly against Egypt is more than just a warm up. It’s a valuable litmus test. Egypt will bring intensity, familiarity with the climate, and a home crowd. For Nigeria, it’s a chance to build chemistry, test tactics, and shake off travel fatigue before the real business begins.
But beyond tactics and technique, what we want to see most is hunger. This team must wear the badge with pride and purpose. Because qualifying for the FIFA U-20 World Cup isn’t just about football it’s about showcasing the future of Nigerian excellence on a global platform.
Let’s rally behind the Flying Eagles. The mission starts now.
Did You Know?
- Nigeria have won the U-20 AFCON seven times, more than any other African nation.
- The Flying Eagles reached the final of the FIFA U-20 World Cup twice, in 1989 and 2005, but lost both.
- The 30 June Stadium, where Nigeria will open their tournament, is the same venue that hosted matches during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
- Egypt’s U-20 team won the U-20 AFCON once, in 1991, and reached the semi-finals of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2001.
- Coach Aliyu Zubairu was an assistant in the 2019 Flying Eagles setup before taking the helm for this campaign.
