Flying Eagles Land In Egypt, Set To Tackle Hosts In U-20 AFCON Warm-Up Clash

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria 

With just days to the kickoff of the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Nigeria’s Flying Eagles will test their mettle against the host nation, Egypt, in a high-profile international friendly on Tuesday evening.

The seven-time African champions arrived in Cairo on Sunday evening aboard an Egypt Air flight, marking the final phase of their preparation for the continental showdown.

The 24-man squad and nine officials, led by head coach Aliyu Zubairu, were warmly received at the Cairo International Airport before checking into their base at the Jewel Sports City and Aqua Resort.

Their first training session took place on Monday evening, less than 24 hours after arrival, setting the tone for Tuesday’s showdown against the Young Pharaohs at the Cairo International Stadium.

The match is scheduled for 5 p.m. local time (4 p.m. Nigerian time), and is expected to offer both teams a valuable opportunity to fine-tune tactics and assess squad readiness.

Nigeria, drawn in Group B, will kick off their AFCON campaign against Tunisia on Thursday, May 1 at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo.

The Flying Eagles will then face Morocco on May 4, before concluding their group-stage matches against Kenya on May 7.

Originally grouped alongside Egypt, South Africa, and Morocco, the Flying Eagles were re-drawn into a new group following Ivory Coast’s withdrawal as tournament hosts, a move that led to Egypt stepping in as replacements.

The 2025 U-20 AFCON not only promises glory but also serves as a gateway to the global stage.

The four semi-finalists from this tournament will automatically book their tickets to the FIFA U-20 World Cup, slated to be held in Chile from September 27 to October 19.