Abuja, Nigeria— With eyes firmly set on clinching their eighth continental crown, Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have returned to Abuja to enter the final phase of preparations for the 24th Africa U20 Cup of Nations, following a productive three-week training camp in Katsina.
Initially preparing for similar weather conditions in Cote d’Ivoire, the team had to adjust plans after the sudden change of host nation to Egypt. The last-minute switch prompted the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to re-strategize, relocating the squad to the Federal Capital Territory where technical drills will now dominate the agenda.
“We are grateful to Governor Umaru Dikko Radda of Katsina State for providing a conducive camp environment,” said NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi. “With the tournament now being held in Egypt, we are planning to depart early for acclimatization and final tuning.”
Training resumes at the FIFA Goal Project facility in Abuja, where Head Coach Aliyu Zubairu, fresh from leading the team to a WAFU B Championship title in Togo, will drill a 35-man squad comprising a blend of local and overseas-based talent.
The squad features promising names like Ifeanyi Ebenezer of Sporting Lagos, Chukwu Emmanuel from Hoffenheim, Germany, and Ibrahim Alani of Real Valladolid, Spain. In total, the roster boasts 3 goalkeepers, 8 defenders, 10 midfielders, and 14 forwards.
The 2025 U20 AFCON is more than just a quest for silverware — it is the gateway to global recognition. All four semi-finalists will qualify for the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile later this year (Sept 27 – Oct 18).
As Nigeria aims to reclaim its place at the summit of youth football, all eyes will be on Zubairu and his boys to deliver on the promise, pride, and legacy of the green-white-green.
