Flying Eagles Coach Vows To Bring U-20 World Cup Trophy Home From Chile

Flying Eagles head coach Aliyu Zubairu has declared that his team will compete fiercely for the ultimate prize when Nigeria lines up at the 2025 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Chile.

The Flying Eagles, who have been crowned African champions seven times, have twice come close to winning the global title, finishing as runners-up in 1989 and 2005. Their most recent outing ended in disappointment when they crashed out in the quarter-finals against South Korea at the 2023 edition in Argentina.

Zubairu, however, is optimistic that his side can surpass past achievements. “We want to break new ground, but it has to be step by step,” he told reporters in Chile. “First, we must qualify from the group stage, and then we can focus on the next challenge.”

According to Ireporter Online, Nigeria has been drawn into a tough Group F alongside Colombia, Saudi Arabia, and Norway for the 2025 tournament. The team booked their ticket to the World Cup after clinching third place at the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations in Egypt.

With only the top two teams in each group guaranteed a spot in the Round of 16, the Flying Eagles face a challenging path to progression. Other African nations confirmed for the tournament include South Africa, Morocco, and Egypt.

The biennial competition is scheduled to run from September 27 to October 19, 2025, with Nigeria opening their campaign against Norway on Monday, September 29.