July 7, 2025

Nigeria’s U-20 national team, the Flying Eagles, have officially opened camp in Abuja as preparations intensify ahead of the highly anticipated WAFU B U-20 Championship, set to kick off in Ghana from July 10 to 23.

Head Coach Aliyu Zubairu is spearheading the charge, with his eyes set firmly on fine-tuning the squad’s attacking play—a key area that proved problematic in past outings.

> “We’re taking proactive steps to fix the problems we had previously, especially with our finishing,” Zubairu said. “The tournament in Ghana gives us the platform to try out new players, test combinations, and sharpen our edge in front of goal.”

Grouped in Group A alongside hosts Ghana and Benin Republic, the Flying Eagles will begin their campaign with a blockbuster clash against Ghana on July 10.

While the WAFU B tournament carries regional prestige, it also holds deeper significance—it serves as a vital tune-up for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, where Nigeria will represent Africa alongside South Africa, Egypt, and Morocco from September 27 to October 19.

Coach Zubairu is treating every game as a dress rehearsal for the global stage.

> “These matches will help us build team chemistry and give valuable exposure to more players. The goal is to head to Chile with a balanced, battle-tested squad.”

With their Abuja camp now in full gear, the Flying Eagles are expected to rise to the challenge and bring their trademark flair and fighting spirit to Accra. Nigeria’s quest for regional dominance and global preparation begins now.