Flying Eagles defender Emmanuel Chukwu has called on Nigerian fans to rally behind the team with prayers and support as they begin their U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign in Egypt.
Speaking during the pre-match press conference ahead of their opener against Tunisia, Chukwu expressed confidence in the team’s preparation and unity, stating that the players are fully focused on securing all three points in their first game.
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“My teammates are all in shape. As the coach said, he already assured us that our first game is very important, and we understand the importance of the first game, so we are going out to get the 3 points, nothing short of that,” he said.
The Flying Eagles, led by Coach Aliyu Zubairu, are aiming to reach the semi-finals—a target that would secure Nigeria a place at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Chukwu reiterated that while winning the tournament remains a goal, qualifying for the World Cup remains the team’s primary objective for now.
“As my coach has always said, we are going for the ticket to the World Cup, and after the ticket, then we look forward to taking the trophy back home,” he added.
Acknowledging the high expectations from Nigerians, Chukwu appealed for continued prayers and encouragement from fans back home, assuring them that the team is committed to making the country proud.
“We understand that there is a lot of pressure back home. We will ask that they pray for us and encourage us, and we will try to do our best here to get the trophy back home.”
Nigeria will face Tunisia in what promises to be a crucial encounter as the Flying Eagles aim to start strong and build momentum through the tournament.
