Flying Eagles head to Chile as U20 World Cup beckons
Nigeria’s U20 team, the Flying Eagles, have departed Abuja for a 12-day training camp in Chile as they finalize preparations for the 24th FIFA U20 World Cup finals. A contingent of 20 players and 11 officials left the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Sunday aboard a Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul, before connecting to Santiago. […]
The Flying Eagles just before departure from Abuja on Sunday evening.
Nigeria’s U20 team, the Flying Eagles, have departed Abuja for a 12-day training camp in Chile as they finalize preparations for the 24th FIFA U20 World Cup finals.
A contingent of 20 players and 11 officials left the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Sunday aboard a Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul, before connecting to Santiago. Midfielder Daniel Daga is expected to join directly from his base in Norway. The team had been in camp in Abuja for several weeks before departure.
Nigeria, seven-time African champions and two-time U20 World Cup silver medallists, will play all their Group F matches at the Estadio Fiscal in Talca, about 250km from Santiago. They face Norway on 29th September, before meetings with Saudi Arabia (2nd October) and Colombia (5th October).
To sharpen match fitness, the Nigeria Football Federation has arranged two warm-up friendlies in Chile: against the host nation on 20th September and Australia three days later.
The Flying Eagles have a proud history at the tournament, claiming bronze in 1985, finishing runners-up in 1989 (Saudi Arabia) and 2005 (Netherlands), and reaching the semi-finals in Argentina at the last edition, where they were narrowly edged by Korea Republic after extra time.
The 24th FIFA U20 World Cup will be staged across Santiago, Rancagua, Valparaiso and Talca. Other groups feature heavyweights such as Brazil, Argentina, Italy, Spain, France, and the USA, ensuring a highly competitive global showpiece.
FLYING EAGLES FOR 2025 FIFA U20 WORLD CUP FINALS
Goalkeepers: Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos); Clinton Ezekiel (Bayelsa United); Rufa’i Abubakar (Mavlon FC)
Defenders: Ocheche Amos Onyejefu (Stade de Reims, France); Odinaka Okoro (Sporting Lagos); Daniel Bameyi (Bayelsa United); Marvelous Avberosou (Ikorodu City); Alatan Azuka (36 Lions); Akinyele Ahmed Olamide (Remo Stars)
Midfielders: Israel Ayuma (NK Istra, Croatia); Emmanuel Ekowoicho (FC Montana, Bulgaria); Mustapha Kamaldeen (Kwara Football Academy); Daniel Daga (Molde FC, Norway); Auwal Ibrahim (Akwa United); Nasiru Salihu (Qabala FC, Azerbaijan)
Forwards: Achichi Oseer (Royal Antwerp FC, Belgium); Sani Suleman (AS Trencin, Slovakia); Tahir Maigana (Wireless FC); Kparobo Arierhi (Lillestrom SK, Norway); Charles Agaba (NK Istra, Croatia); Abdullahi Shitu Ele (Manchester City FC, England)