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Tag: Flying Eagles

  • U20 AFCON: Flying Eagles set for Moroccan firepower

    U20 AFCON: Flying Eagles set for Moroccan firepower

    The Flying Eagles will come up against the firepower of the Junior Atlas Lions of Morocco after the North Africans fought from a goal down to beat Kenya 3-2 in their Group B game of the 2025 U20 AFCON.

    The Flying Eagles have expressed confidence of flying high at the U20 AFCON in Egypt after they opened their campaign with a 1-0 win over Tunisia.

    On Thursday, Akwa United youngster Auwal Ibrahim ‘Germany’ was Man of the Match, gave Nigeria the maximum points against the Junior Cartage Eagles, who gave as much as they got from their Nigerian counterparts.

    Captain Daniel Bameyi said after the win that they are now looking forward to another win against Morocco on Sunday night.

    “It is on to the next game. We hope to win and go top of our group on our way to qualifying for the World Cup and winning the tournament,” the Bayelsa United central defender said.

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    Flying Eagles coach Aliyu Zubairu said the win over Tunisia is great for team’s confidence.

    “The first game of a competition is often difficult and to get the three points was very important,” he said.

    “This will help with our confidence. Nigerians should continue to support and pray for the team and we promise not to let them down.”

    The Flying Eagles are seeking a record-extending eighth U20 AFCON title in Egypt.

    Morocco fell behind to the Rising Stars of Kenya in the second match in Group B, before they rallied back to win despite missing a penalty and losing two players to injury

    Othmane Maamma was Man of the Match for Morocco to go top of the standings by virtue of having scored more goals than the Flying Eagles.

  • Flying Eagles set for rousing start at U20 AFCON , says Zubairu

    Flying Eagles set for rousing start at U20 AFCON , says Zubairu

    Flying Eagles coach Aliyu Zubairu is confident his  wards will start their campaign  at the U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)  on a bright note  when they  file out against  Tunisia today at the  30 June Stadium Cairo.

    Drawn in Group B  along with Morocco, Kenya and Tunisia, coach Zubairu said  his team is at the ready  to navigate  their way through the section  as they seek a ticket  to the FIFA U20 World Cup to be hosted  by Chile  later this year.

    “We are very much prepared,” Zubairu said ahead  of their opening match against the Junior Carthage Eagles .  “If you look at the journey, we started the preparation from Abuja to Katsina, Katsina to Abuja, and now we’re in Egypt waiting for the D-day, which is tomorrow—our first match against Tunisia. Definitely, the boys are ready.

    “We all know Nigerians. Anytime any Nigerian team is playing, their attention is always there. They leave all their businesses, everything they are doing, to concentrate on the game.

     “We wouldn’t want to let them down. But accordingly, their prayers are very, very important for us. We need their support and prayers so that the team can always perform and excel to the level we want.”

    Read Also:Ex-U20 star Taiwo offers Flying Eagles tips to win in  Egypt

    The coach said the boys are not be under any pressure, given the result of the last meetings between both teams in the third place final of the last edition of the U20 AFCON, where the Nigerian team trounced their Tunisian counterparts.

    “There’s not any pressure from any angle. It shouldn’t be pressure—it should serve as motivation,” he explained.

     “Even though you don’t dwell on the past, as it is, yes, we beat them 4-0 the last time, but this is a different scenario with two different teams, even though they represent the same countries.

     “So, I don’t see it as pressure. History can always play a role in motivating a team, so it’s going to serve as a motivation.”

    Zubairu  believes  the Flying Eagles  will secure one of the continental tickets to the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile in September.

    He stated: “We wouldn’t want to put too much pressure on the boys. They want to win the trophy, but the first target now is to get the ticket to the World Cup.

     “By the time we get to the semi-final stage, then we’ll sit down with them again and decide where we want to be. But definitely, the first target now is to get to the World Cup.”

  • Egypt 2025 : Flying Eagles target  three points against Tunisia

    Egypt 2025 : Flying Eagles target  three points against Tunisia

    Nigeria will launch their campaign for an eighth Africa U20 title when the Flying Eagles file out against the Junior Carthage Eagles of Tunisia  tomorrow at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo, in the opening match of Group B.

    Forty years ago, the boys from Carthage were the victims as the Flying Eagles won the second of their seven African titles, in the era when the winner was decided over two legs. With both teams already qualified for the FIFA World Youth Championship (now FIFA U20 World Cup) finals in the  then USSR, Nigeria forced a 1-1 draw with their hosts in Tunis, and then won a close-fought return leg 2-1 at the National Stadium, Surulere.

    Two years ago, the Carthage Eagles again bowed to the Eagles from West Africa in the third-place match of the U20 AFCON, also hosted by Egypt. It ended 4-0 against the North Africans.

    Head Coach Aliyu Zubairu and his charges understand that they must take it one match at a time as they aspire for glory, with Cup holders Senegal (who head Group C), hosts Egypt (who head Group A) and four-time winners Ghana (in Group C) also in the hunt for honours.

    Four-time champions Egypt (winners in 1981, 1991, 2003 and 2013) already pocketed three points from their opening match against South Africa on Sunday, while Zambia and Sierra Leone fought themselves to a scoreless draw.

    Ghana have their work cut out in Group C, where they must negotiate survival with title-holders Senegal, a Central African Republic side that eliminated Cameroon, and the nifty Democratic Republic of Congo.

    Nigeria must beware of the host nation, even though the Flying Eagles pipped the Egyptians 1-0 in a group phase match in Cairo two years ago.

    Read Also: NFF writes FIFA over Lesotho, Zimbabwe playing in South Africa

    The only Final matches Nigeria have lost since the competition transformed from home-and-away format to a tournament were against host nations – against Ghana in Accra in 1999 and against Congo in Brazzaville eight years later. On the reverse, Nigeria defeated hosts Senegal in the Final in 2015.

    Ghana were champions in 1993, 1999 (as hosts), 2009 (when they won in Rwanda) and 2021. Cameroon, who are not in Egypt, won their only title when Nigeria hosted the competition in 1995.

    After tomorrow’s shootout with the Junior Carthage Eagles, the seven-time champions will be up against 1997 hosts and winners Morocco, also at the 30 June Stadium.

    Zubairu is excited that his boys are riding on immense psychological wavelengths after a 2-1 defeat of host nation Egypt in a friendly match at the Cairo International Stadium on Tuesday – barely 48 hours after the delegation landed in Cairo.

     “That result has provided a good impetus for us as we prepare to face the Tunisians – another North African opposition. You need a result like that when you’re preparing for a competition like this. It does not mean that we will rest on our oars; it only serves to give us much-needed confidence and ginger us to face our challenges better.

     “We will go for the maximum points against the Tunisians and then take it one step at a time as we forge ahead.”

    Kparobo Arierhi, who scored three goals at the WAFU B U20 Championship and netted the first goal against Egypt on Tuesday, Germany-based Precious Benjamin and home-boys Clinton Jephta and Divine Oliseh are the key foremen that Zubairu will be hoping to deliver against each and every opposition. 

    Tunisia did not originally qualify for these finals, but sneaked through after original hosts Cote d’Ivoire pulled the rug on the Confederation of African Football with only weeks to the opening match.

    All four semi-finalists at the tournament will qualify to fly Africa’s flag at this year’s FIFA U20 World Cup finals in Chile, 27th September – 19th October.

    24 FLYING EAGLES AT EGYPT 2025:

    Goalkeepers: Ifeanyi Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos); Rufai Abubakar (Mavlon FC); Soliu Ajia Yakub (FK Novi Pazar, Serbia)

    Defenders: Adamu Maigari (El-Kanemi Warriors); Odinaka Okoro (Sporting Lagos); Daniel Bameyi (Bayelsa United); Emmanuel Chukwu (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Germany); Chigozie Michael Ihejiofor (Katsina United)

    Midfielders: Caleb Ochedikwu (NK Uljanik Pula, Croatia); Israel Isaac Ayuma (NK Istra, Croatia); Simon Cletus (Mavlon FC); Sulaiman Alabi Jojo (El-Kanemi Warriors); Auwal Ibrahim (Akwa United); Shafiu Adamu Duguri (Wikki Tourists)

    Forwards: Precious Benjamin (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Germany); Ezekiel Anthony Kpangu (Inspire FC); Divine Oliseh (Forster Academy); Clinton Jephta (Enyimba FC); Bidemi Amole (Real Sapphire FC); Tahir Maigana (Wireless FC); Theophilus Mendos Rickson (Niger Tornadoes); Kparobo Nathaniel Arierhi (Lillestrom SK, Norway); Matthew Kingsley (Kings FC); Yushau Armiyau (Katsina United)

    EGYPT 2025: THE GROUPINGS

    GROUP A: Egypt, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Zambia, Tanzania

    GROUP B: Nigeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Kenya

    GROUP C: Senegal, Central African Republic, DR Congo, Ghana

  • Ex-U20 star Taiwo offers Flying Eagles tips to win in  Egypt

    Ex-U20 star Taiwo offers Flying Eagles tips to win in  Egypt

    Former youth international,  Taiye Taiwo has urged  the current Flying Eagles to believe in themselves and play their normal game in Egypt if they want to go far  at the CAF Under U20 Africa Cup of Nations.

    Nigeria will begin their chase for World Cup ticket next week Thursday with a Group B tie against Tunisia before games with Morocco and Kenya on May 4th  and 7th.

    Taiwo, who was in the Flying Eagles squad to the 2005 African Youth Championship held in Cotonou, Benin Republic en route to the FIFA U20 World Youth Championship in Netherlands implored the Aliyu Zubairu-led team to play with utmost  confidence.

    The former Super Eagles and AC Milan left back recalled how he and his teammates pumped up themselves for the task ahead in Benin Republic and the World Cup where they got to the final before losing to Lionel Messi inspired Argentina.

    Read Also: AFCON U20 : NFF submits final 23-man squad  as Flying Eagles  off to Cairo weekend

    “The most important thing is for them to believe in themselves and play their normal game,” Taiwo said on a sports programme on Lasgidi FM. “We played for the team. We spoke to ourselves and we said we should go and make ourselves happy and Nigeria too.

    “We didn’t care about the monetary incentive from the NFF and other football stakeholders. We were interested in making name for ourselves.

    “We were not afraid because we had the support of our coach, Samson Siasia.

    “We were proud of ourselves. Samson Siasia said he was proud of us that we won even if we lost.”

  • Pre-AFCON friendly: Flying Eagles edge Young Pharaohs in Cairo

    Pre-AFCON friendly: Flying Eagles edge Young Pharaohs in Cairo

    Nigeria’s U20 boys, Flying Eagles, yesterday  defeated their Egyptian counterparts, Young Pharaohs 2-1 in a pre-Africa U20 Cup of Nations friendly at the Cairo International Stadium.

    Kparobo Arierhi, who scored three goals as Nigeria successfully defended her WAFU B U20 Championship title in Lome in October (including a brace in the final that dashed Ghana’s hopes), scored Nigeria’s first in the 10th minute of the encounter after a good pass from Bidemi Amole.

    The Young Pharaohs pulled one back in the 65th  minute through Ahmed Kaabaka, but a dominant Nigeria side shot into the lead again with seven minutes left on the clock after Precious Benjamin made no mistake from the spot, following a foul on Divine Oliseh in the hosts’ eighteen-yard box.

    Read Also: NFF writes FIFA over Lesotho, Zimbabwe playing in South Africa

    Seven-time African champions Nigeria achieved the morale-boosting victory less than 48 hours after arriving in the Egyptian capital for the 17th  Africa U20 Cup of Nations, which gets underway on Sunday.

    The Flying Eagles’ first match is against Tunisia on Thursday next week, before further games against Morocco and Kenya in Group B.

    On their part, hosts Egypt, who head Group A, will take on South Africa on Sunday, before further games against Sierra Leone on 30th  April, Zambia on 3rd  May and Tanzania on 9th  May.

  • U20 AFCON: Flying Eagles tackle Young Pharaohs in friendly

    U20 AFCON: Flying Eagles tackle Young Pharaohs in friendly

    Nigeria’s U20 boys, Flying Eagles have arrived in the Egyptian capital city of Cairo as the seven-time African champions get set for 17th Africa U20 Cup of Nations finals starting in the North African country on Sunday.

    A delegation of 24 players and nine officials led by Head Coach, Aliyu Zubairu touched down at the Cairo International Airport aboard Egypt Air flight on Sunday evening.

    The team is lodged at Jewel Sports City and Aqua Resort, and commenced  training session yesterday.

    Meanwhile, the Flying Eagles will square up to host nation, the Young Pharaohs of Egypt this evening as part of their build-up to the Africa U20 Cup of Nations billed to take place 27th April – 18th May.

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    The match is slated for 5pm local time (4pm Nigeria time) at the Cairo International Stadium.

    Nigeria get their campaign underway against Tunisia at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo on Thursday 1st  May.

    The Africa U20 Cup of Nations serves as a qualifying tournament for the FIFA U20 World Cup finals scheduled for 27th September – 19th October in Chile.

    All four semi-finalists at the tournament in Egypt will represent Africa at the FIFA U20 World Cup finals.

  • Flying Eagles’ preparations for U-20 AFCON excites Zubairu

    Flying Eagles’ preparations for U-20 AFCON excites Zubairu

    • By Kazeem Abiola 

    Nigerian U-20 coach, Aliyu Zubairu, has stressed the importance of his team’s preparation as they gear up for the forthcoming U-20  Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

    Speaking on the team’s readiness, Zubairu acknowledged that team’s  level of preparation ahead of the U-20 AFCON  was  an improvement compared to previous experiences when they went for the WAFU B Tournament  in Ghana  where Nigeria secured a ticket  to the continental youth tournament.

    “Our preparation before traveling was a bit below average, but it’s definitely better than what we had before previous matches,” Zubairu told Lagos-based sports radio station, Brila fm.

    He recalled the team’s first match against Burkina Faso as a crucial part of their build-up, despite the limitations at the time.

     “That match was supposed to be part of our tournament fixtures, but it ended up serving as a pre-tournament warm-up. After that, we picked up momentum and eventually won the trophy.”

    This time around, Zubairu is optimistic due to the opportunity to play two friendly matches—even though both are against the same country. “It has given us a clearer sense of direction and better preparation going into the tournament,” he concluded.

    Read Also: AFCON U20 : NFF submits final 23-man squad  as Flying Eagles  off to Cairo weekend

    Bameyi, Maigari, 21 others picked  for U20 Africa Cup of Nations

    Head Coach Aliyu Zubairu has selected first-choice goalkeeper Ifeanyi Harcourt, defender and captain Daniel Bameyi, midfielder Sulaiman Alabi Jojo and forward Kparobo Arierhi among a squad of 24 for this year’s Africa U20 Cup of Nations taking place in Egypt. The tournament gets underway in 10 days.

    Defenders Adamu Maigari and Emmanuel Chukwu (based in Germany), midfielders Caleb Ochedikwu (based in Croatia) and Simon Cletus, and forwards Clinton Jephta, Divine Oliseh and Precious Benjamin (based in Germany) are also picked.

    The seven-time African champions and two-time World Cup runners-up will depart the shores of Nigeria for Egypt on Sunday, where they are expected to play a couple of friendly matches before their opening match of the competition against Tunisia in Cairo on Thursday, 1st May.

    Three days after the clash with the Tunisians, the Flying Eagles will take the pitch against Morocco (also in Cairo) before rounding off their group phase experience against Kenya on Wednesday, 7th May. All four semi-finalists at the tournament in Egypt will fly Africa’s flag at this year’s FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile, 27th  September – 19th  October. 

    24 FLYING EAGLES FOR EGYPT 2025:

    Goalkeepers: Ifeanyi Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos); Rufai Abubakar (Mavlon FC); Soliu Ajia Yakub (FK Novi Pazar, Serbia)

    Defenders: Adamu Maigari (El-Kanemi Warriors); Odinaka Okoro (Sporting Lagos); Daniel Bameyi (Bayelsa United); Emmanuel Chukwu (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Germany); Chigozie Michael Ihejiofor (Katsina United)

    Midfielders: Caleb Ochedikwu (NK Uljanik Pula, Croatia); Israel Isaac Ayuma (NK Istra, Croatia); Simon Cletus (Mavlon FC); Sulaiman Alabi Jojo (El-Kanemi Warriors); Auwal Ibrahim (Akwa United); Shafiu Adamu Duguri (Wikki Tourists)

    Forwards: Precious Benjamin (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Germany); Ezekiel Anthony Kpangu (Inspire FC); Divine Oliseh (Forster Academy); Clinton Jephta (Enyimba FC); Bidemi Amole (Real Sapphire FC); Tahir Maigana (Wireless FC); Theophilus Mendos Rickson (Niger Tornadoes); Kparobo Nathaniel Arierhi (Lillestrom SK, Norway); Matthew Kingsley (Kings FC); Yushau Armiyau (Katsina United).

  • AFCON U20 : NFF submits final 23-man squad  as Flying Eagles  off to Cairo weekend

    AFCON U20 : NFF submits final 23-man squad  as Flying Eagles  off to Cairo weekend

    The NFF have reportedly submitted a final 23-man squad to CAF for the 2025 U20 AFCON, which kicks off later this month in Cairo, Egypt.

    The core of the squad is the team who won the sub-regional WAFU B qualifiers in Togo last year with a few surprises by coach Aliyu Zubairu.

    Read Also: Super Eagles: Okocha warns on dangers of  missing  FIFA World Cup 26

    Meanwhile, he Flying Eagles will finally depart Abuja for Cairo by the weekend for their final preparation for the U20 AFCON in Egypt.

    “We will now leave either Saturday or Sunday,” a team official informed SCORENigeria

    The team was  scheduled to leave earlier this week. They will open their 2025 U20 AFCON campaign on May 1 against Tunisia.

    Kenya and Morocco are the other teams in Group B of this competition, which serves as qualifiers for the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile.

  • AFCON U20: Morocco to announce squad for Flying Eagles on Friday

    AFCON U20: Morocco to announce squad for Flying Eagles on Friday

    Morocco’s U20 head coach, Mohamed Ouahbi is expected  to unveil  his squad for the upcoming U20 Africa Cup of Nations public on  Friday.

    The announcement will take place during a press conference at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat, officially launching Morocco’s campaign for the tournament, which will be held in Egypt from April 27 to May 18, 2025.

    Drawn in a tough Group B alongside Nigeria’s Flying Eagles, Tunisia, and Kenya, the Young Lions are tipped as one of the tournament favourites.

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    Their squad is expected to feature a talented and ambitious generation of players, many of whom are based at top European clubs.

    Morocco will be aiming not only for the AFCON title but also for one of the four semi-final spots, which guarantees qualification for the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile later this year.

  • Flying Eagles get tricky foes in fresh U20 AFCON draw

    Flying Eagles get tricky foes in fresh U20 AFCON draw

    Nigeria will now have to contend with Morocco, Kenya and Tunisia in the group phase of the 24th Africa U20 Cup of Nations taking place in Egypt, 27th April – 18th May this year.

    At the redraw conducted in the headquarters of the Egypt Football Association in Cairo, Egypt and South Africa, who were originally in Nigeria’s pool before Cote d’Ivoire withdrew as tournament hosts, found themselves in Group A.

    New hosts Egypt head Group A, which has five teams – with Zambia, Sierra Leone, South Africa and Tanzania as the other teams.

    However, just like it was originally, the Flying Eagles will confront two North African teams (this time, Tunisia and Morocco), as well as East Africans Kenya, for a place in the quarter-finals.

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    Cup holders Senegal head Group C, with Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo and Ghana as opponents.

    Back in Abuja following their three-week training camp in Katsina, the seven-time African champions are expected to fly to Egypt this week for an eight-day final-phase preparation before the competition commences.

    All four semi-finalists at the tournament in Egypt will fly Africa’s flag at this year’s FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile, 27th  September – 19th  October. 

    GROUP A: Egypt, Zambia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania

    GROUP B: Nigeria, Tunisia, Kenya, Morocco

    GROUP C: Senegal, Central African Republic, DR Congo, Ghana