May 11, (THEWILL) – Nigeria’s national Under-20 football team, the Flying Eagles, has arrived in the vibrant city of Buenos Aires, Argentina’s capital, to kick off a rigorous 10-day training programme in preparation for the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
The delegation, composed of 20 players and 10 officials, embarked on their journey from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Saturday night, taking a Turkish Airline flight that included a stopover in Istanbul before reaching the “land of the Pampas.”
Their debut dates back 40 years to Mexico, where they beat the then-Soviet Union 1-0 with an exceptional goal by Tarila Okorowanta in Monterrey. However, their momentum was halted by a 0-3 defeat against Brazil in Guadalajara. The Flying Eagles’ fate hung in the balance as they needed a victory in their final group match against the Netherlands in Monterrey, but were only able to secure a draw.
Having clinched the silver medals in 1989 and 2005, along with bronze in 1985, the Flying Eagles are determined to end their runner-up status and claim the ultimate prize in their 13th appearance at the tournament. They were drawn in Group D this year and will face the Dominican Republic, Italy, and Brazil consecutively during the group stage.
The team’s initial two matches will be held in Mendoza, situated in the western part of Argentina, starting with a clash against the Dominican Republic on 21 May, followed by a showdown against Italy on 24 May. Subsequently, the Flying Eagles will travel to La Plata for their encounter with Brazil on 27 May. The 24-nation championship will be hosted across four Argentine cities: La Plata, Santiago del Estero, San Juan, and Mendoza.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
