THE Flying Eagles will be testing their readiness for the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations when they host Zambia in a friendly today in Abuja.
The Nigeria U-20s have been ruthless in tune-up games against local clubs and academies, staying unbeaten in 16 of such matches, the last of which was a 4-0 victory over Capital City Academy on Tuesday.
Today, Ladan Bosso’s lads welcome the Zambia side in a top-level international friendly at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, as both teams prepare for the U-20 AFCON slated for Egypt from February 18 to March 11.
A 35-man delegation of the Zambians landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Thursday afternoon, aboard an Ethiopian Airline flight from Addis Ababa.
The delegation included 23 players and 12 officials.
They will battle the Flying Eagles, seven-time champions of Africa, at the main bowl of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium from 4pm today.
Champions of the WAFU B U-20 Championship held in Niger Republic in May 2022, the Flying Eagles have been drawn to play hosts Egypt, Senegal and Mozambique in Group A of the U-20 AFCON.
Zambia are in Group C with Tunisia, Benin Republic and The Gambia, while Uganda, Central African Republic, South Sudan and Congo make up Group B.
Zambia’s Junior Chipolopolo have a good recent record at this level, having won the 2017 U-20 AFCON as hosts and reached the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Korea Republic the same year.
The Flying Eagles are yet to win the FIFA U-20 World Cup, but they reached the final in 1989 and 2005.
