Flying Eagles arrive in Abuja after U20 Africa Cup of Nations bronze medal triumph

By Dayo Awoniyi

The Nigeria U-20 national football team, the Flying Eagles, will arrive at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja at 2:00 PM (local time) on Tuesday, following their hard-fought third-place finish at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt.

The team, led by head coach Aliyu Zubairu, will fly in from Cairo on Egypt Airlines, bringing an end to their successful campaign in Egypt.

In a tense battle for third place, the Flying Eagles secured a 4-1 win in a penalty shootout against hosts Egypt after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.

Egypt took an early lead, but Nigeria responded in the second half, equalizing in the 47th minute. The Flying Eagles then triumphed in the shootout to clinch the bronze medal.

Nigeria’s achievement ensures their qualification for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, alongside Egypt, South Africa, and Morocco.

South Africa made headlines by defeating Morocco 1-0 in the final, claiming their first-ever U-20 AFCON title.