Nigeria's Flying Eagles have returned to Abuja following their successful campaign at the 2025 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations (AFCON) held in Egypt, where they secured a bronze medal finish.

The team, led by coach Aliyu Zubairu, touched down in the Federal Capital Territory on Tuesday afternoon after claiming third place in the continental tournament by defeating the host nation Egypt 4-1 on penalties in the third-place playoff.

This achievement marks another milestone for the seven-time champions who have maintained their reputation as one of Africa's footballing powerhouses at the youth level. The bronze medal finish also secured Nigeria's qualification for the upcoming FIFA U-20 World Cup scheduled to take place in Chile later this year.

Following their arrival, the contingent will take a well-deserved break before reconvening to begin preparations for the global tournament. The team's performance has been commended by football enthusiasts across the country, with particular praise for their resilience throughout the competition.

Notable performances during the tournament included those from defender Bameyi, who was named in the team of the tournament, highlighting the individual talent within the Nigerian squad.

The Flying Eagles' third-place finish continues Nigeria's tradition of excellence in youth tournaments and provides a solid foundation as they look ahead to competing on the world stage in Chile.