Flying Eagles Coach, Aliyu Zubairu, has promised to build a more competitive team ahead of the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup billed to be held in Chile.
 
Chile, which hosted the U-20 World Cup for the first time in 1987, will host it again from September 27 to October 19, 2025, with 23 countries contesting for the top prize.
 
Zubairu is aiming to be Nigeria’s first winning coach of the competition, which has given the country silver and bronze medals in the past.
 
Speaking on the Flying Eagles’ performance at the just-concluded African U-20 Cup of Nations in Egypt, where Nigeria won a bronze medal, Zubairu said the continental championship has opened his eyes to the needs of the team, adding that he would scout for players to beef up his squad.
 
Nigeria lost 0-1 to the Amajita of South Africa in the semifinals of the U-20 AFCON but defeated Egypt via a penalty shootout to win the bronze medal on Sunday.
 
Zubairu apologised to Nigeria for Flying Eagles’ failure to play in the final, adding: “This tournament has helped us to identify the players capable of stepping up to the next level and those who are not. After our WAFU B success, we dropped many players because their quality wasn’t sufficient for the continental stage.
 
“A similar review will happen again. It’s clear that some of the current squad members aren’t ready for the demands of a World Cup.”
 
For qualifying playing up to the semifinals of the championship, Nigeria, cup winners, South Africa, Egypt, and Morocco will represent Africa at the Chile 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup.