Former national U20 forward Albert Hillary has lauded Nigeria’s Flying Eagles for their determined showing at the recently concluded U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, where they clinched the bronze medal and, more importantly, secured qualification for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile later this year.
Hillary, who himself once wore the green and white jersey at youth level, stated that while lifting the AFCON trophy would have been ideal, the primary mission of qualifying for the World Cup was successfully accomplished.
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“Qualifying for the World Cup is usually the main objective in tournaments like this,” Hillary said. “The boys have done well to secure that, and they deserve credit for staying focused despite the semifinal setback.”
Nigeria edged hosts Egypt in the third-place match via a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw, thanks to standout performances from Bidemi Amole and goalkeeper Ajia Yakub. The result was a strong finish for a side that had endured a mixed campaign but showed resilience in key moments.
Looking ahead, Hillary called on the coaching staff and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to intensify preparations ahead of the World Cup, noting that the team’s overall play must improve if they are to compete on the global stage.
“The technical crew needs to work on the team’s conversion rate and attacking cohesion,” he noted. “There is room for improvement, and I believe with proper support and adjustments, they can go far in Chile.”
As Nigeria celebrates a return to the global scene at the U-20 level, Hillary’s comments echo a growing sentiment: the bronze medal is a positive step, but the real test lies ahead.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s U-20 national football team, the Flying Eagles, are scheduled to arrive at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja at 2:00 PM (local time) on Tuesday, where fans and officials are expected to welcome the bronze medalists back home.
