The Flying Eagles arrived in the Chilean city of Talca on Thursday afternoon ahead of their participation in the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Nigeria has been placed in Group F, where they will compete against Norway, Saudi Arabia, and Colombia, with all fixtures scheduled to hold in the city of Talca.
The seven-time African champions were warmly received on arrival by officials of FIFA, representatives of the Local Organizing Committee, and the management of their hotel.
The team settled quickly into their base, Hotel Diego de Almagro, where they will stay throughout the group stage.
Later in the evening, the players stretched their legs with a light training session to recover from the long journey and begin their build-up to the tournament.
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles are no strangers to the global stage.
The team has made a name for itself as one of the most consistent performers at youth level, with appearances in several editions of the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
The West Africans famously finished as runners-up in 1989 in Saudi Arabia and again in 2005 in the Netherlands, producing some of the country’s finest football talents along the way.
Despite these strong performances, the elusive world title has continued to slip from their grasp, and the current squad is determined to change that narrative.
Their opening fixture against Norway, scheduled for Monday, September 29, is expected to be crucial in setting the tone for the campaign.
The Norwegians are known for their physical style of play and disciplined organization, making them a formidable first test for the Nigerians.
After that, the Flying Eagles will face Saudi Arabia before rounding off their group-stage matches against Colombia, another side with a rich history in youth football.
For head coach and his technical crew, the immediate task will be to ensure that the players quickly adapt to the weather conditions and playing environment in Chile.
The squad has been described as a blend of domestic-based talents and overseas professionals, raising hopes that Nigeria can finally combine flair with tactical discipline on the world stage.
Fans back home are eager to see the Flying Eagles put up a strong showing, not only to restore pride but also to continue Nigeria’s tradition of producing world-class players from youth competitions.
With the right mindset, effective preparation, and a bit of luck, the team could well be on the path to writing a new chapter in the country’s football history.