Former Flying Eagles midfielder, Chidi Osuchukwu, has shared his thoughts on Nigeria’s campaign at the ongoing U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, expressing cautious optimism despite the team’s semifinal exit, Sports247 reports.
While the Flying Eagles narrowly missed out on a spot in the final after a 1-0 loss to South Africa’s Amajita, Chidi believes the team’s overall performance should not be dismissed — especially with a valuable World Cup ticket already secured.
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“I’m not too disappointed. These boys showed fight and got the most important thing — World Cup qualification,” Osuchukwu told reporters. “Now it’s about improving from here.”
The former midfielder, who featured for Nigeria at youth level, identified the attacking line as an area in need of urgent attention if the team is to excel at the global stage.
“Our biggest challenge was clear — finishing. We created chances but couldn’t convert. The coaches must fix this before September,” he noted.
Osuchukwu’s comments echo those of other ex-internationals and analysts who have praised the team’s spirit but called for better execution in front of goal. He also stressed the importance of quality friendlies and tactical upgrades in the buildup to the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
With a third-place match against hosts Egypt still to come, the Flying Eagles have one final chance to end their AFCON campaign on a winning note and gain momentum for the global stage
