Nigeria’s under-20 team, the Flying Eagles, are set to face the Junior Chipolopolo of Zambia in back-to-back friendly games as part of their preparations for the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations to be held from February 19–March 11.
The friendlies will take place in Abuja on Friday, January 27 and Monday, January 30, as head coach Ladan Bosso looks to select his final squad heading to Egypt.
Following a request letter sent by the Nigeria Football Federation on January 13, an agreement was reached with the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ).
Adrian Kashala, General Secretary of FAZ, revealed in a letter that the Zambian football governing body agreed to the proposal’s terms, which included them covering the cost of their team’s travel to Nigeria while the NFF oversaw the cost of accommodation, feeding, and other logistics for the Zambia delegation.
Since the resumption of training camp activities, the Flying Eagles have played two friendlies and scored a total of 10 goals, including five in the 5-1 thumping of Galadima FC on Wednesday.
Bosso’s squad qualified as winners of the WAFU B U20 Championship held in Niger Republic in 2022 and they have been drawn against hosts Egypt, Senegal, and Mozambique in Group A of the Africa U20 Cup of Nations.
Zambia, champions of the 2017 edition of the tournament, will compete in Group C against Tunisia, Benin Republic, and The Gambia.
The four teams that progress to the semifinal of the continental tournament will book a spot to represent Africa at the 23rd FIFA U20 World Cup in Indonesia from May 20-June 11.
