The delegation, led by Head Coach Aliyu Zubairu, touched down at Cairo International Airport on Sunday evening aboard an Egypt Air flight. The contingent includes 24 players and nine officials, all of whom are now based at Jewel Sports City and Aqua Resort where training has already commenced.
In their first major test ahead of the continental showpiece, the Flying Eagles are scheduled to face host nation Egypt — known as the Young Pharaohs — in a friendly match this evening. The warm-up game will be played at Cairo International Stadium at 5 p.m. local time (4 p.m. Nigeria time).
The encounter is seen as a crucial preparatory fixture for both sides, particularly as Egypt will be looking to impress on home soil, while Nigeria aims to fine-tune tactics and assess squad readiness ahead of the tournament.
Nigeria, a seven-time U20 AFCON champion, will kick off their campaign on Thursday, May 1, against Tunisia at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo.
Beyond continental glory, the tournament serves a higher purpose — acting as the qualifier for the FIFA U20 World Cup, which will take place in Chile from September 27 to October 19. The top four teams (all semi-finalists) from the Egypt tournament will secure Africa’s ticket to the global event.
With a rich pedigree at youth level and a strong squad brimming with emerging talent, expectations are high that the Flying Eagles will not only challenge for the title but also book their place in Chile later this year.