“Keep your head up” – Nigeria’s President sends message to Flying Eagles after AFCON U20 heartbreak

Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has encouraged the Flying Eagles to take pride in their achievements at the ongoing TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations despite their narrow 1-0 semi-final defeat to South Africa on Thursday, Footynaija.com reports.

The Flying Eagles were one of the best teams of the tournament enroute the semi-finals. They particularly stood out for their defensive solidity and organization, conceding in just one of their four games before facing Amjita in the last four.

However, despite their admirable strength at the back, Aliyu Zubairu’s boys found themselves struggling at the attacking end of the pitch. They managed to score only three goals on their way to the semi-final despite offering loads of promise and excitement with their build up play.

This inability to find the back of the net eventually proved costly as the Flying Eagles’ profligacy against South Africa was punished by highly rated Amajita center back Tylon Smith’s header in the 66th minute. Although, Nigeria’s substitute goalkeeper Ajia Yakub’s error of judgement played a significant role in that hammer blow.

Following the heartbreak, President Tinubu took to social media to encourage the young Eagles, congratulating them on their terrific run in the tournament as well as qualification for the FIFA U20 World Cup.

“I congratulate our U20 men’s football team, the Flying Eagles, for their terrific run at the AFCON U20 2025 tournament in Egypt and qualifying for the FIFA U20 World Cup later this year in Chile,” Tinubu posted via his official X account.

“You did Nigeria proud despite tonight’s semi-final loss! Keep your head up.”

I congratulate our U20 men’s football team, the Flying Eagles, for their terrific run at the AFCON U20 2025 tournament in Egypt and qualifying for the FIFA U20 World Cup later this year in Chile.

You did Nigeria proud despite tonight’s semi-final loss! Keep your head up.

~… pic.twitter.com/HKZ4mxSYkf

— Bola Ahmed Tinubu (@officialABAT) May 15, 2025

The Flying Eagles will be looking to shake off their semi-final heartbreak with a third place playoff victory over hosts Egypt on Sunday, May 18 at the 30 June Air Defense Stadium.