Sports

FIFA U-20 World Cup: NFF Commends Flying Eagles

Published

3 years ago

June 5, 2023

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The Nigeria Football Federation has commended the Flying Eagles for giving a good account of themselves at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Argentina.

After an impressive match at the tournament, the Flying Eagles of Nigeria were able to make it to the quarter-finals where they faced Korea Republic.

Two-time runners-up Nigeria dominated for large parts of the game but were eliminated from the tourney by a single goal on Sunday as the Korea Republic surged into the semi-finals for the second successive tournament.

The Flying Eagles, who eliminated hosts and six-time champions Argentina in the Round of 16 on Wednesday, created few chances despite passing the ball around the field quite well.

However, the lack of punch in the final third was the greatest undoing of the seven-time African champions.

NFF’s General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, on Monday in Abuja told NAN that the Flying Eagles gave their best at the world cup, adding that they did not disgrace the country.

“The Flying Eagles have done their very best. I can say they have not disgraced Nigeria.

“In every competition, there has to be a winner and there has to be a time when some teams will be eliminated.

“Yesterday, it wasn’t our day. The team played very well but the goals refused to come.

“So, I think we should take it in good fate and move forward.

“As I have always said, anytime we go for competitions, we go to fulfil God’s righteousness because whatever God has destined to happen will happen, you cannot change it.

“If you have looked at the game, you would know that it wasn’t our game at all.”

He said the team could have equalised towards the end of the full-time but the goal “refused to come.”

The NFF Scribe apologised to Nigerians for the failure of the team to progress to the semi-finals, stressing that the Flying Eagles gave 100 per cent.

“We want to say we are sorry to Nigerians who believed in the team that they could go all the way.

“Going by their progression and improvement from match to match, Nigerians expected us to defeat the Koreans.

“But as I said earlier, it wasn’t the wish of God. He did his wish and we were eliminated by the Koreans,” he added.

NAN

Related Topics:FIFA U20 World Cup Flying Eagles

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Midfielder Wilfred Ndidi Becomes New Super Eagles Captain

Ndidi, who also wore the armband during Nigeria’s recent CAF 2026 World Cup qualifying playoffs in Morocco, steps into the leadership role following the international retirement of former captains William Troost-Ekong and Ahmed Musa.

Published

1 day ago

December 18, 2025

OCHEFA

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• Super Eagles Captain,Wilfred Ndidi

Midfielder Wilfred Ndidi has been appointed captain of the Super Eagles ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

The 28-year-old defensive midfielder missed the rescheduled 2023 AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire due to injury.However, he remains one of Nigeria’s most seasoned players, having earned 71 international caps since making his senior debut in August 2015.

A product of Nigeria’s youth teams, Ndidi represented the country at U17 and U20 levels before becoming a regular fixture in the Super Eagles setup.

His experience, discipline, and leadership qualities are expected to play a key role as Nigeria targets a strong campaign at AFCON 2025 in Morocco.

Sports

Super Eagles Ahmed Musa Ends 15 years Career in football

Musa retired as Nigeria’s most capped international, having made 111 appearances for the Super Eagles.

Published

1 day ago

December 18, 2025

OCHEFA

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“After a lot of thought, I have decided to retire from international football, bringing to an end almost 15 years with the Super Eagles. From the very first call-up, wearing the green and white meant everything to me.”

Ahmed Musa made the announcement on his social media platforms, yesterday

Musa who is now 33-year-old made his senior national team debut on September 5, 2010 in the qualification match for the 2012 AFCON against Madagascar at the age of 17.

He recalled his early years in the national team setup, noting that his rise coincided with invitations to multiple national teams at the same time.

“I was just a young boy when the journey started. I remember being invited at the same time to the U-20, U-23 and the Super Eagles. I was young, still learning, and always travelling, but I never complained.

Whenever Nigeria called, I showed up,” he said.

Musa retired as Nigeria’s most capped international, having made 111 appearances for the Super Eagles.

He described the milestone as a source of pride and responsibility: “To become the most capped player in the history of Nigerian football is a great honour. Every time I wore the jersey, I understood the responsibility that came with it,” he said.

Sports

Nigeria lost $10.5 million of the FIFA World Cup 2026 prize money

The Super Eagles’ World Cup campaign ended in disappointment after they lost in the final round of the playoffs to DR Congo.

Published

1 day ago

December 18, 2025

OCHEFA

50 Views

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is set to miss about $10.5 million out of the $727 million huge financial outlay by FIFA for teams participating in the 2026 Wold Cup.

The Super Eagles’ World Cup campaign ended in disappointment after they lost in the final round of the playoffs to DR Congo.

The setback not only denied Nigeria a ticket to the Mundial but also shut out the country from significant financial rewards attached to participation.

The world soccer ruling body said the prize money for next year’s World Cup will be 50% higher than the previous edition after agreeing a record $727 million financial contribution to the tournament on Wednesday.

The biggest slice of FIFA’s funding package for the North American showpiece – $655 million – will be performance-based payments to 48 participating nations with the champions taking $50 million and the runners-up $33 million.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will also be groundbreaking in terms of its financial contribution to the global football community,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement.

The 16 nations that fail to survive beyond the initial group phase will earn $9 million while in addition, each qualified nation is entitled to $1.5 million to cover preparation costs.

This means that the NFF will miss at least $10.5 million if the team had qualified for the Mundial but that would not to be unless the federation is able to push through its protest on the alleged ineligibility of some of the Congolese players in the ill-fated play-off encounter in November.