Flying Eagles seek new opponent as AFCON draw scraps Nigeria-Egypt friendlies

By Olaolu Joseph

The planned two-legged friendly match between Nigeria’s U-20 national team, the Flying Eagles, and their Egyptian counterparts will no longer take place.

The friendlies were canceled after the recently held AFCON 2025 draw placed both teams in the same group for the tournament proper.

The NFF had earlier announced the friendlies with Egypt.

The Flying Eagles resumed camp for the matches last Monday in Abuja, but the players and officials will now return to their respective clubs until they are recalled for camp.

“You know the friendly games were arranged before the draw, but once both countries discovered their first match is against each other, there was no option but to cancel them,” a top NFF official stated.

He continued, “Meanwhile, we are already searching for another international friendly with a strong team from a different group.

“The team will travel to Côte d’Ivoire early to acclimatize to the weather and play friendly matches there before the competition begins.

“Early preparation is key, and we won’t let this disrupt our plans for early camping. However, for now, the players will likely return to their clubs,” concluded the NFF official.