By Kabiru Abdulrauf
Nigeria’s youth football teams are stepping up preparations for global glory as both the Flamingos and the Flying Eagles intensify their build-up ahead of their respective FIFA World Cup campaigns.
In the women’s category, the Flamingos, Nigeria’s U-17 team, have lined up two international friendlies against New Zealand and Paraguay as part of their final preparation for the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The friendlies, scheduled for October 10 and October 14, are expected to test the team’s readiness and tactical depth as they gear up to face the world’s best young sides.
Head coach Bankole Olowookere and his players are set to depart Abuja for Morocco on Wednesday, where they will conclude their training camp before the tournament kicks off.
The team is drawn in Group D alongside Canada, France, and Samoa, a competitive group that promises an exciting test of skill and strategy for the young Nigerians.
Meanwhile, in the men’s category, the Flying Eagles have arrived Santiago, Chile, for their Round of 16 clash with Argentina at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
The match, scheduled to hold at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos on Wednesday night, kicks off at 8:30 p.m. Nigerian time.
Nigeria booked a spot in the knockout stage after a hard-fought 1–1 draw with Colombia, completing their group campaign in Talca.
Under coach Aliyu Zubairu, the team is hoping to replicate its impressive performance from the previous edition, where the Flying Eagles defeated Argentina 2–0 at the same stage.
The two fixtures, the Flamingos’ final friendlies and the Flying Eagles’ crucial knockout tie mark a defining moment for Nigerian youth football, as both teams seek to reaffirm the country’s long-standing reputation as a powerhouse in global age-grade competitions.
