Nigeria’s U-20 national team, the Flying Eagles, touched down at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Tuesday afternoon to a warm welcome following their impressive campaign at the just-concluded U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt.
The team returned home proudly clutching bronze medals and, more significantly, a coveted ticket to the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile — a major milestone after years of absence from the global youth stage.
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Led by head coach Aliyu Zubairu and captain Daniel Bameyi, the Flying Eagles displayed resilience and character throughout the tournament.
After a dramatic quarterfinal shootout victory over defending champions Senegal that secured their World Cup spot, the team bounced back from a semifinal defeat to South Africa to defeat hosts Egypt on penalties and seal third place.
Speaking after landing in Abuja, team captain Daniel Bameyi expressed gratitude to Nigerians: “We thank God and the entire country for the support.
Though we didn’t win the tournament, we achieved something very important — qualifying for the World Cup. Now, the focus shifts to getting ready for Chile.”
Coach Zubairu also echoed the sentiment of progress and preparation: “This team showed heart.
With early and focused preparations, we can go to the World Cup with high hopes. The bronze medal is a good sign, but we want more.”
The Flying Eagles are expected to enjoy a brief break before the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announces their next phase of preparation ahead of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile this September.
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