The National Sports Commission (NSC) has hailed the Nigeria U20 team, the Flying Eagles, for securing a coveted spot at the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile, following a commanding victory over defending champions Senegal in the quarter-finals of the AFCON U20 tournament in Egypt.
The Aliyu Zubairu-led squad clinched their semi-final berth with a standout performance at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia on Monday, showcasing their growing prowess. NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko praised the team’s steady improvement and dominance against Senegal, crediting the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for their resilience and preparation.
“The boys’ performance reflects the hard work invested in their training and camping,” Dikko said. “With Nigeria’s strong record at this level, I urge the team to stay focused and aim for the tournament title. On behalf of all Nigerians and Mr. President, we celebrate this milestone.”
NSC Director General Hon. Bukola Olopade described the achievement as part of a broader wave of success across Nigeria’s sports federations. “This is no fluke. Mr. President’s commitment to sustainable sports development from the grassroots is yielding results,” Olopade said. “Our deliberate funding support ensures our athletes can perform at their best on the global stage.”Olopade expressed confidence that the Flying Eagles, having secured their World Cup ticket, are poised to contend for the AFCON U20 title.
Nigeria will face South Africa in the semi-finals, while hosts Egypt take on Morocco in the other semi-final clash.
The nation now rallies behind the Flying Eagles as they aim for glory in Egypt and prepare to represent Nigeria in Chile.