Nigeria’s Flying Eagles begin training in Chile ahead of the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup kickoff.
Coach Aliyu Zubair focuses on tactics and fitness before their friendly match against Chile’s U-20 team.
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have commenced training in Santiago, Chile, as they step up preparations for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup, which kicks off on September 27.
The team arrived in Chile on Tuesday and held their first training session on Wednesday evening at the Cancha Liga Training Pitch, following a light recovery session earlier in the day at their base, Le Meridien Hotel. The two-hour drill was supervised by head coach Aliyu Zubair, who emphasized tactical discipline and fitness conditioning.
The Flying Eagles are scheduled to continue their build-up with a friendly against Chile’s U-20 team tomorrow. The match will provide an opportunity to test formations and sharpen cohesion before their opening group-stage fixture.
Nigeria, seven-time African champions at the U-20 level, has been drawn in Group F alongside Norway, Saudi Arabia, and Colombia. The Eagles will begin their campaign against Norway on September 29.
The squad will look to surpass their quarterfinal finish at the last edition in Argentina (2023), where they were eliminated by the Republic of Korea.
With a history that includes two runners-up finishes (1989, 2005) and regular deep runs into the tournament, expectations are high that Zubair’s men can deliver another strong performance.
The 2025 championship runs from September 27 to October 20, with Santiago and several other Chilean cities hosting matches. Nigeria’s blend of domestic talents and Europe-based players is expected to provide balance as the team aims for its first-ever U-20 world title.
