International Friendly: Why Flying Eagles Fails To Fly On Monday, Arrive Abidjan On Tuesday

International Friendly: Why Flying Eagles Fails To Fly On Monday,  Arrive Abidjan On Tuesday

By Niyi Busari

Nigeria U20 national team will on Tuesday at 10:00 am depart Abuja for Abidjan for the two legged friendly matches between Flying Eagles and Ivory Coast, BSNSports.com.ng report.

Flying Eagles didn't travel on Monday because of flights schedule leading to 24 hours delay. The Nigeria contingents will fly Cote D'Ivoire Airline directly from Abuja to Abidjan.

Speaking exclusively with www.bsnsports.com.ng, a top official of the team who preferred to remain anonymous said, "we are still in Nigeria. We have not traveled because their was a change in the former schedule. Cote D'Ivoire Airline which we are traveling with is scheduled to fly on Tuesday and not Monday. 

"This was because of change of their flight schedule previously slated for Monday. So, we will arrive on Tuesday morning, train once and play the first friendly match on Wednesday." He concluded.

The Nigeria Football Federation had agreed with Egypt FA to schedule two friendly games between Flying Eagles and the North African U20 team but the CAF U20 draw pitted both teams in same group saw the warm-up games cancelled.

The NFF while retaining the Flying Eagles in Abuja camp replaced Egypt with Ivory Coast in a deliberate effort to make sure that the team is well prepared for the age grade competition.

The two friendlies are scheduled to be held on Wednesday 26 and Friday 28 in Abidjan

With the AFCON set to run from 26th April to 18th May, Nigeria will be aiming for a strong tournament, knowing that a semi-final place guarantees qualification for the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile (27th September – 19th October 2025).