By Victor Kanayo
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles are back to their country, two days after they won bronze at the just concluded 2023 U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
The team led by coach Ladan Bosso touched down Abuja early Monday morning.
Later same day, the Nigerian government held a short reception for them where they were urged to turn their attention to the upcoming FIFA U20 World Cup scheduled for Indonesia between May 20 and June 11, 2023.
Nigeria qualified for the global youth championship alongside side Senegal, Gambia and Tunisia after the countries reached the semi-final of the continental competition.
The Flying Eagles played in Group A of the tournament alongside the eventual winners, Senegal, Mozambique and host Egypt.
They lost their first match against Senegal 0-1, but pipped host Egypt 1-0 in the second game.
The Nigerian team then beat Mozambique 2-0 to qualify for the quater-final against Uganda. They beat the Ugandans 1-0 to book semi-final place.
Thereafter, Nigeria fell 0-1 to Gambia in the semi-final of the competition.
The team came to redemption in the third place match when they walloped Tunisia 4-0.
Aaside winning the third place match, the Flying Eagles also bagged the Fair Play award at the competition by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), after they were adjudged the most disciplined side in the competition and rewarded for their good sportsmanship.
