Former Flying Eagles captain Ikouwem Udoh has thrown his weight behind Nigeria’s U20 team following their third-place finish at the TotalEnergies CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2025, hailing their efforts and lauding the achievement of securing a World Cup ticket.
Speaking after Nigeria edged Egypt 4-1 on penalties in the third-place match, Udoh described the campaign as “not a bad outing,” given the primary objective of World Cup qualification was met.
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“They did well to come back strong and pick up the bronze after the disappointment in the semifinal,” Udoh said. “It’s never easy to bounce back in such a short time, and they deserve credit for that.”
Nigeria, who lost to South Africa in a tight semifinal contest, showed resilience in the losers’ final against hosts Egypt, with Bidemi Amole scoring in regulation time and goalkeeper Ajia Yakubu emerging as a hero in the shootout with two crucial saves.
Udoh, who captained the side in 2019, emphasized the importance of regrouping and refocusing ahead of the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile later this year.
“Now is the time for the boys to enjoy some rest, but the real work starts soon. The World Cup is a different stage, and they must be ready,” he said. “One key area that needs urgent attention is goal-scoring. We created chances but didn’t convert enough — that could hurt us on the global stage.”
He called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to provide the team with all necessary support in the buildup to the tournament.
“The NFF must back this team fully — financially, technically, and logistically. If we want to compete with the best, we must prepare like the best,” Udoh added.
With the World Cup now in sight, the bronze finish offers a solid platform, but Udoh believes only thorough preparation and fine-tuning can turn the Flying Eagles into global contenders.
