Former Nigerian youth international, Taiwo Oloyede, has urged the Flying Eagles to aim for at least a semi-final finish at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, stressing that a strong start in Talca will be crucial to their ambitions.
The team arrived in Talca on Thursday afternoon after completing a 12-day training camp in Santiago, where they held hosts Chile to a 1-1 draw and secured an impressive 3-1 win over Australia in warm-up matches. Lodged at Hotel Diego de Almagro, the Flying Eagles have already begun training at Estadio Fiscal de Talca, the venue for all their Group F fixtures.
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Speaking on the team’s prospects, Oloyede said the Flying Eagles are one of the most talented youth sides on the continent and should aim high. “A semi-final target is realistic for this team. Once they get into the last four, anything can happen, and Nigeria has the pedigree to go even further,” he said.
However, the former junior international stressed the importance of their opening game against Norway on Monday, 29th September. “The first match is very important. If they avoid defeat, it will set a good tone for the rest of the competition. A win will boost confidence and reduce pressure, but a poor start can make things very difficult,” he explained.
Oloyede commended the players’ determination and the technical crew’s preparation, highlighting that the team looks organised and confident after their stint in Santiago. He added that maintaining focus, discipline, and consistency will be key to reaching their targets.
He concluded with encouragement: “The Flying Eagles must believe in themselves. This is their moment to write history, and Nigerians are solidly behind them. A semi-final finish is within reach, and from there, the dream of winning it all can come alive.”
