Expectations have again shot high that the Flying Eagles could deliver an eighth continental title at this U20 AFCON, which kicks off Sunday in Cairo, Egypt.
The team led by coach Ladan Bosso have been drawn in a tough-looking Group A along with hosts Egypt, Senegal and Mozambique.
They open their campaign against the Junior Teranga Lions Sunday night.
We take a closer look at five key factors that could combine to crown the Flying Eagles African champions on March 11, 2023.
1.Winning Record
The Flying Eagles have one of the best records for Nigeria having won the U20 AFCON a record seven times thus far with their last conquest being in 2015.
The team have therefore built a fearsome reputation as well as given several top officials like coach Ladan Bosso the experience at this level.
Bosso guided the Flying Eagles to the knockout rounds of the 2007 FIFA U20 World Cup in Canada, where the likes of Brown Ideye, Efe Ambrose and Elderson Echiejile shone to earn pro contracts in Europe.
Besides his wealth of experience, Bosso is also driven to put behind a forgettable return to this post when he failed to qualify the team to the 2021 U20 AFCON.
2.Big On Confidence
There is a huge self-belief in this team they can go all the way in Egypt after they finished top of their qualifying tournament in Niger Republic in May.
Bosso said he has a better team than the one that outclassed the likes of perennial rivals Ghana in the qualifiers.
Since they booked their ticket to this U20 AFCON, they have gone 18 matches unbeaten with wins over Zambia and Congo in warm-up friendlies.
3. Fit As A Fiddle
Superb physical conditioning is one of the strongest points of this team as they can run for more than 90 minutes at top speed.
Again this fitness will be attributed to Bosso, who started out as a fitness trainer.
The Flying Eagles Class of 2023 have been known to move two, three gears up by the second half.
Nigeria Premier League clubs have been left gasping for their breath in the closing moments of matches against this team.
4.Great Attacking Drive
The Flying Eagles love to attack full throttle and score goals.
Bosso’s favoured formation of 4-3-3 enhances the impressive attacking drive of this team.
They move play quickly and parade wingers who also love to score goals besides creating chances for the top striker.
Should they be more clinical in front of goal, they will achieve big wins again, similar to the results they posted in training camp in Abuja.
5.Individual Brilliance
Bosso’s team are also blessed with players like Jude Sunday, Jonathan Nicholas, Ibrahim Mohammed ‘Beji’, Ahmed Abdullahi, Haliru Sarki and Olamilekan Adams, whose individual brilliance could be the difference between winning and losing.
‘Beji’ was top scorer in the qualifiers with four goals from the wings, while Jude Sunday from Real Sapphire of Lagos has the magic to be one of the top stars in Egypt.
His direct play will always cause opposing defences problems and he also weighs in with his own fair share of goals.
Adams from NPFL club Remo Stars has assumed a more important role in the Flying Eagles after he was converted to centre-forward from the wings.
He is big, powerful and lively upfront to cause damage again and again.
He has scored and assisted in his last four games for this team including goals against both Zambia and Congo.
Former Golden Eaglets star Ahmed Abdullahi scored twice in the qualifiers and he is now part of the KAA Gent first team.
He is brave, puts his body on the firing line and knows his way to goal.
