Nigeria’s U20 football team, the Flying Eagles, have arrived in Abidjan to take on Côte d’Ivoire’s Young Elephants in two high-profile friendly matches. These encounters are vital as the team prepares for the Africa U20 Cup of Nations (AFCON), a tournament where they will compete for continental glory and a ticket to the FIFA U20 World Cup.
The Flying Eagles, led by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) Executive Member Alhaji Ganiyu Majekodunmi, landed in Abidjan on Tuesday morning. The team was initially set to play against Egypt, but the matches were canceled following the AFCON group draw, which placed Nigeria and Egypt in the same group. To maintain their competitive edge, the NFF swiftly secured friendly games against Côte d’Ivoire.
The friendly matches are scheduled for Wednesday, February 26, and Friday, February 28, 2025, at the prestigious Stade Félix Houphouët Boigny in Abidjan. These fixtures will serve as an excellent test for the Flying Eagles, allowing them to adapt to the playing conditions and refine their strategies before the tournament kicks off in April.
Head Coach Aliyu Zubairu has selected a 21-man squad featuring a mix of experience and youthful talent. Among the key players are captain Daniel Bameyi, goalkeeper Ifeanyi Harcourt, defender Haruna Aliyu, midfielder Cletus Simon, and forwards Clinton Japhet and Olalekan Sulaiman Alabi. The team will be looking to build strong chemistry and sharpen their tactical approach before facing some of Africa’s best teams in the AFCON tournament.
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Nigeria has been drawn into Group B for the Africa U20 Cup of Nations, alongside Egypt, South Africa, and Morocco. The competition will take place from April 26 to May 18, 2025, with the top four teams earning spots in the FIFA U20 World Cup later this year. Given the stakes, these friendly matches against Côte d’Ivoire will be crucial in fine-tuning the Flying Eagles’ squad.
With seven AFCON U20 titles to their name, Nigeria’s Flying Eagles are one of the most successful teams in the competition’s history. Their impressive track record underscores their determination to maintain dominance at the youth level. Facing Côte d’Ivoire’s Young Elephants, who are also preparing for the tournament as the host nation, will be an essential test of their readiness.
As anticipation builds, fans eagerly await the outcome of these friendly games, hoping the Flying Eagles will gain valuable experience and momentum ahead of the Africa U20 Cup of Nations. Nigerian supporters will be looking to see how the team adapts, gels, and sharpens its tactics ahead of their quest for an eighth AFCON U20 title.