Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have returned to Abuja as they intensify preparations for the 24th edition of the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, set to begin later this month in Egypt.
The seven-time African champions had previously spent three weeks at a training camp in Katsina, acclimatising to weather conditions similar to Ivory Coast, the tournament’s original host. However, following Ivory Coast’s late withdrawal, the Confederation of African Football moved the tournament to Egypt.
NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, expressed gratitude to Governor Umaru Dikko Radda of Katsina State for supporting the team. “The coaches have had some useful time to work on the team and it is now down to the final stages of preparation where the focus will be on tactical and technical formations,” he stated.
Due to Egypt’s different weather conditions, the team is expected to leave Nigeria early and spend 10 days in Egypt ahead of the tournament kickoff.
Training sessions will now hold at the FIFA Goal Project facility in Abuja. Head Coach Aliyu Zubairu, who led the squad to victory at the WAFU B U-20 Championship in Togo last year, has called up 35 players, including three goalkeepers, eight defenders, 10 midfielders, and 14 forwards.
The top four teams at the U-20 AFCON will qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, scheduled from September 27 to October 18.
