Flying Eagles Touch Down in Abuja After Dramatic Third-Place Finish

Flying Eagles Touch Down in Abuja After Dramatic Third-Place Finish

By Niyi Busari 

Nigeria's U-20 national football team, the Flying Eagles, are scheduled to arrive at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja at 2:00 PM (local time) on Tuesday, according to BSN Sports.

The Aliyu Zubairu led team will fly Egypt Airlines, take off from Guard hotel to Cairo International Airport at 11:00 AM (Egyptian time) in a four-hour trip.

The team secured a hard-fought third-place finish at the just-concluded U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, defeating tournament hosts Egypt 5–2 on penalties after a 1–1 draw in regulation time. Egypt took an early lead, but Nigeria responded early in the second half, equalizing in the 47th minute before prevailing in the shootout. The Flying Eagles converted four of their spot-kicks, while Egypt managed to convert just one.

With their bronze medal achievement, Nigeria joins Egypt, South Africa, and Morocco in qualifying for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile. After the Third Place match, in the tournament final, South Africa pulled off a surprise 1–0 win over pre-tournament favourites Morocco to clinch their first-ever U-20 AFCON title.