Nigeria’s U-20 national football team, the Flying Eagles, will depart Abuja on Sunday night, September 14, 2025, for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, with their sights firmly set on breaking new ground.
The seven-time African champions are determined to end Nigeria’s long wait for a first-ever FIFA U-20 World Cup title, having twice fallen at the final hurdle in 1989 and 2005.
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The two-week training camp in Chile, beginning Tuesday. According to team officials, the camp will focus on acclimatization, tactical adjustments, and team bonding.
The team are set to play a series of friendlies lined up against Chilean e opposition to help the players adapt to the unique weather, altitude, and playing conditions in South America.
Nigeria will open their Group D campaign against Norway on Monday, September 29, before facing Saudi Arabia and wrapping up the group stage against Colombia in what could prove a decisive encounter.
Head coach Aliyu Zubairu has emphasized discipline, swift transitions, and clinical finishing as the key ingredients for success.
“This team has quality, resilience, and creativity. I believe they can mount a serious challenge for Nigeria’s first-ever U-20 World Cup crown,” Zubairu said.
The current squad, comprising players from Nigerian academies, NPFL clubs, and European outfits.
The Abuja camp of the team was used for tactical fine-tuning, physical conditioning, and injury assessments.
However, the team will miss defender Adamu Ba’aba Maigari, who was ruled out due to a Kneel injury as the dependable right back defender was rule out by the technical crew.
Zubairu is expected to announce his final 21-man squad on Friday, September 19.
Nigeria’s return to Chile also brings a sense of unfinished business.
The Flying Eagles crashed out in the group stage of the 1987 edition held in the same country, despite the talent at their disposal.
Yet, inspiration abounds in the memory of the Golden Eaglets, who lifted the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile in 2015 , the last time Nigeria celebrated global success in a FIFA-organized tournament.
With history beckoning, the Flying Eagles are motivated to turn promise into glory and finally deliver the long-elusive U-20 World Cup trophy for Nigeria.
