The Nigeria U20 national team, known as the Flying Eagles, will play two preparatory friendly matches in Egypt ahead of their opening fixture at the 2025 CAF U20 African Cup of Nations, reports NigeriaSoccernet.com.
Following the latest group stage draw conducted by CAF, Nigeria finds itself in Group B alongside Tunisia, Kenya, and Morocco—a pool that presents a mix of North African and East African challenges.
Reacting to the development, head coach Aliyu Zubairu confirmed that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is working diligently to ensure the team has adequate preparations for the biennial tournament. According to him, talks are ongoing with potential opponents for the warm-up fixtures.
“We are going to play two friendly matches in Egypt. One on the 23rd and the other on the 26th of April,” Zubairu told BSNsports.com.ng in Abuja.
He further explained the rationale behind the friendly fixtures, especially given Nigeria’s group opponents.
“The countries we are going to play, the federation is still in talks with them. It has not been finalized but all the same, even if we don't, we will play against clubs that are equal to the task. Remember, we have two North African countries in our group, so playing any club in Egypt is as good as playing the North African countries.”
The Flying Eagles are the most successful team in the competition’s history, having won the title six times, and will be gunning for a record-extending seventh crown in Egypt.
Thirteen nations will compete in three groups, with the top four teams (semifinalists) securing automatic qualification for the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup.