Flying Eagles coach Aliyu Zubairu and captain Daniel Bameyi have drawn a firm line ahead of Nigeria’s U20 World Cup opener in Chile, warning that qualification from the group stage is “non-negotiable” while insisting the squad is stronger and more prepared than in 2023, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Flying Eagles have arrived at the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile with a mix of quiet confidence and firm resolve.
Zubairu’s side ended preparations on a high note with a 3-1 win over Australia in midweek, having earlier drawn 1-1 with hosts Chile.
But the coach was quick to play down any talk of favourites, insisting his players will treat every opponent with respect.
Nigeria, appearing at the tournament for a record 14th time, are in Group F with Norway, Saudi Arabia, and Colombia.
“There are no lesser national teams any longer at all levels of international football. Did anybody give Cape Verde a chance against the likes of Cameroon? But they are now knocking their boots in the World Cup qualifiers,” Zubairu said.
“The same thing goes to the under-20 teams. Besides, Colombia is a footballing nation, Norway, as well, while Saudi Arabia is growing very fast.”
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The Flying Eagles, two-time runners-up at the World Cup, begin their campaign against Norwary on September 29, followed by Saudi Arabia on October 1, before closing the group stage against Colombia on October 4.
For Zubairu, the immediate task is clear:
“Coming out of that group is a mission that is ahead of us now, which we are not going to negotiate with, and it’s non-compromisable. We definitely just have to move up with one of the slots in the group. Our target is to come out of the group, and that’s what matters most.”
While wary of their opponents, the coach reminded rivals that Nigeria’s record at youth level makes them a team never to be taken lightly.
“Nigeria also is not a pushover as far as football is concerned, especially at the level of under-20 national teams,” he declared.
Captain Daniel Bameyi echoed that cautious optimism, stressing that the squad is ready to deliver for Nigeria on the global stage.
“We are fully prepared, we’ve been training and this is the right time for us to show what we’ve been working for,” the 19-year-old defender said.
The Flying Eagles reached the quarter-finals at the 2023 edition, losing narrowly to South Korea, and Bameyi admitted the lessons from that painful exit have been driving the current squad.
“So many lessons were learnt from the last World Cup. We lost at the quarter final one goal to nil. It was against South Korea,’ Bameyi recalled.
“We had the opportunity to bury that game but unfortunately we didn’t take our chances. That was something that cost us that match.”
Since then, the team has matured through competitive action, winning bronze at the 2023 U20 AFCON in Egypt before claiming silver at this year’s WAFU B Championship.
“This team is an improved one. From the WAFU to the AFCON, now we’re at the World Cup. All lessons were learnt and we will try to improve on that,” the skipper added.
Bameyi’s closing message to Nigerians was one of unity: “We know how difficult the World Cup is. No country is small and it’s football, anything can happen. We are asking that you keep praying for us, and keep supporting us, and we will give our best to make the country proud.”
Nigeria have won a record five world titles at U17 level, but the U20 World Cup has remained elusive.
With history against them but momentum building, the Flying Eagles enter Chile 2025 not with fanfare but with a hunger to finally go the distance.