Nigeria’s Flying Eagles Set to Face Côte d’Ivoire’s Baby Elephants in U20 AFCON Preparations

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have finalized new opponents for their pre-U20 AFCON preparations after the cancellation of their scheduled friendlies against Egypt. The team will now take on Côte d’Ivoire’s Baby Elephants in two highly anticipated warm-up matches ahead of the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed that the friendly encounters will take place in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, on Wednesday, 26th February, and Friday, 28th February 2025.

Flying Eagles Camp in Abuja – New Plans for AFCON Readiness

The Flying Eagles, under the guidance of head coach Aliyu Zubairu, have been in intense training in Abuja, fine-tuning tactics and strategies ahead of the tournament. The team will depart for Abidjan on Monday, 24th February, as they shift focus to their new opponents.

Originally, the squad was set to face Egypt’s Young Pharaohs, but the fixtures were scrapped following the AFCON U20 group stage draw, which placed both Nigeria and Egypt in Group B alongside Morocco and South Africa.

Nigeria vs. Côte d’Ivoire – A Rivalry Renewed

This switch in opponents brings back memories of past U20 battles between Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire. The two sides last met in the WAFU B U20 Championship group stage in Togo last October, where Nigeria secured a 2-1 victory, ultimately propelling them to the semi-finals and later retaining their regional title.

However, Côte d’Ivoire will be keen to make a statement on home soil, making this fixture a crucial test for Nigeria’s title ambitions.

Historic Showdown – Flashback to 1983

The Flying Eagles and Baby Elephants share a long-standing history in youth football competitions. One of their most iconic clashes dates back 42 years to the 1983 Tessema Cup final, the previous trophy for Africa’s U20 champions.

In a thrilling two-legged affair, Nigeria edged Côte d’Ivoire 4-3 on aggregate, with Dahiru Sadi’s long-range strike in Lagos securing victory for the Flying Eagles. Both teams had already booked their tickets to the FIFA World Youth Championship in Mexico, but the match decided the continental champion.

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Eyes on U20 AFCON and World Cup Qualification

With the 2025 U20 AFCON set to run from 26th April to 18th May, Nigeria will be aiming for a strong tournament performance. A semi-final finish will not only bring them closer to continental glory but also secure qualification for the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile, scheduled from 27th September to 19th October 2025.

As preparations heat up, Nigerian football fans can expect a thrilling showdown between these two West African rivals. Stay tuned to Soccerbaba.com for the latest updates, match reports, and exclusive insights into the Flying Eagles’ journey to AFCON glory.