Flying Eagles Sneak Into Nigeria After World Cup Exit

Flying Eagles Sneak Into Nigeria After World Cup Exit 

By Niyi Busari 

Nigeria’s U-20 men’s national team, the Flying Eagles, quietly returned to the country on Friday night following their early exit from the ongoing FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Unlike previous homecomings of victorious national teams marked by excitement and celebration, the squad arrived without fanfare, media coverage, or official reception at the airport, a reflection of the subdued mood following their disappointing campaign.

The Flying Eagles were eliminated in the Round of 16 after a crushing 4–0 defeat to six-time champions Argentina in Santiago on Wednesday night. The result was a bitter blow for Nigeria, who had knocked out Argentina at the same stage during the previous edition of the tournament.

The loss marks another missed opportunity for Nigeria to win the U-20 title for the first time, despite having reached the final twice in the past.

Nigeria’s tournament began on a shaky note with a 1–0 loss to Norway. However, the team bounced back to defeat Saudi Arabia 3–2 before securing a 1–1 draw against Colombia in their final group-stage match. Those results were enough to see the Flying Eagles through to the knockout stage as one of the best third-placed teams.

But any hopes of a deep run were dashed by a ruthless Argentine side, who exposed Nigeria’s defensive frailties and clinical inefficiency.

While the Super Eagles' senior team continues to dominate public attention amid a tense World Cup qualifying campaign, the Flying Eagles' quiet return underscores a broader concern about the trajectory of youth football development in the country.