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Flying Eagles to play Saudi Arabia in Jeddah next week

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) yesterday disclosed that the U-20 national team (Flying Eagles) would fly to Jeddah this weekend for an international friendly game against Saudi Arabia next week. The match, it said, is designed to toughen the team ahead of next month’s Africa U20 Cup of Nations in Niger Republic.   According to…

[FILES] Ifeanyi Ify of Flying Eagles

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) yesterday disclosed that the U-20 national team (Flying Eagles) would fly to Jeddah this weekend for an international friendly game against Saudi Arabia next week.

The match, it said, is designed to toughen the team ahead of next month’s Africa U20 Cup of Nations in Niger Republic.
 
According to thenff.com, Team Administrator, Aliyu Ibrahim Lawal disclosed that arrangements were in top gear for the seven–time African champions to fly out of Nigeria this weekend for the game billed for Tuesday in Jeddah.

 
The match will rekindle memories of the opening match of the 1989 FIFA U20 World Cup finals, in which the Flying Eagles came from behind to defeat the Saudis 2-1 inside the King Fahd International Stadium on February 16, 1989.

In that match, Al Suraiti got the Saudis in front after 16 minutes but Mutiu Adepoju and Christopher Ohenhen got second half goals that earned Nigeria three precious points.

The Flying Eagles eventually finished the tournament as runners-up, after losing the final match 0-2 to Portugal.
 
Coach Paul Aigbogun is expected to travel to Jeddah with the squad he will be taking to Niger Republic for the U20 AFCON, where Nigeria will contest in Group A against host nation Niger, South Africa and Burundi.

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