THE Flying Eagles, Nigeria’s U-20 national football team, departed Abuja on Sunday night for Santiago, Chile, to intensify their preparations for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup, which will run from September 27 to October 19.
News Point Nigeria Sports reports that the seven-time African champions are on a mission to end Nigeria’s decades-long wait for a maiden FIFA U-20 World Cup trophy. The team has been camping in Abuja for the past month, fine-tuning tactics under head coach Aliyu Zubairu, before embarking on this crucial final lap.
The team will hold a two-week training camp in Chile, beginning Tuesday, where they will engage in a series of friendly matches against local Chilean opposition.
The games are designed to help the players adapt to South America’s unique weather, altitude, and playing conditions, giving them a competitive edge ahead of the tournament.
Zubairu, speaking before departure, emphasised the importance of this final phase: “Coming out of the group is not negotiable. We are working hard, studying our opponents, and respecting them but we will not compromise on our ambition to go beyond our past records.”
Nigeria has been drawn in Group F alongside Colombia, Norway, and Saudi Arabia, a tricky group that promises exciting encounters.
The Flying Eagles open their campaign against Norway on September 29.
They then face Saudi Arabia three days later.
Their final group game, against Colombia on October 5, could determine their passage to the knockout stages.
Head coach Zubairu has assembled a blend of domestic and foreign-based talent, including Kparobo Arierhi (Mjøndalen IF, Norway) and Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos goalkeeper).
However, the squad suffered a setback with the withdrawal of defender Adamu Ba’aba Maigari, who was ruled out due to a knee injury. The coach is expected to announce his final 21-man squad on Friday, September 19.
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have twice reached the U-20 World Cup final in 1989 (losing to Portugal) and in 2005, when they were beaten by a Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina. This year’s team has vowed to go one step further and clinch the title.
