National Teams
Cote d’Ivoire 2025: Flying Eagles Intensify Preparations with Egypt Friendlies
By Dayo Awoniyi
With the 2025 Africa U20 Cup of Nations fast approaching, Nigeria’s U20 boys, the Flying Eagles, are ramping up their preparations with a two-match tour of Egypt later this month.
Head Coach Aliyu Zubairu has called up 30 players to the camp as they get set to face Egypt’s U20 team in Cairo on February 25 and 27.
The Flying Eagles, seven-time African champions, are focused on sharpening their skills and building momentum ahead of the tournament in Cote d’Ivoire, set to run from April 26 to May 18.
The top four teams at the competition will secure a spot in the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile, scheduled for September 27 to October 19.
Fresh from their victory at the WAFU-B U20 Championship in Lome, Togo, last October, where they triumphed 3-1 over Ghana’s Black Satellites in the final, the Flying Eagles are brimming with confidence.
With a rich history that includes two FIFA U20 World Cup runner-up finishes in 1989 and 2005, the team is determined to make a deep run in Cote d’Ivoire and continue Nigeria’s proud tradition in youth football.
The upcoming friendlies in Egypt are expected to be crucial for Zubairu and his team as they fine-tune their tactics and team chemistry in preparation for the challenges of the Africa U20 Cup of Nations.