Nigeria's Flying Eagles. Photo by IMAGO
Former Flying Eagles head coach John Obuh believes Nigeria’s pedigree at the U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) makes them a major threat to the ambitions of South Africa, Egypt, and Morocco, Soccernet.ng reports.
Nigeria booked their place at the 2025 U20 AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire after winning the WAFU B U20 Championship last year.
However, the Flying Eagles now face a tough test, having been drawn in Group B alongside three continental heavyweights — South Africa, Egypt, and Morocco.
The group has been dubbed the ‘Group of Death’ due to the historical success of its teams. Between them, Nigeria, Morocco, and Egypt have won 12 U20 AFCON titles, while South Africa finished as runners-up in 1997.
With only three groups in the tournament, the top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals, along with the two best third-placed teams.
Despite concerns about Nigeria’s chances of progressing, Obuh insists that it is the Flying Eagles’ opponents who should be more worried.
“I’m sure that if you ask any South African, Egyptian, or Moroccan football expert, they’ll tell you that Nigeria is one of the teams they are worried about in the group,” Obuh told Completesports.com.
“Football in Africa has evolved—there are no more minnows. Nigeria has a strong football heritage, especially in this tournament. However, that doesn’t mean we can afford to be complacent. Other countries have improved, and there are no underdogs anymore. The team that prepares better and works harder will have the edge in the group.
“But first, we must qualify for the World Cup by reaching the semi-finals before thinking about the U-20 AFCON title,” Obuh stressed.
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles are the most successful team in the history of the U20 AFCON, with seven winner’s medals as well as two silver medals and four bronze medals.
However, Nigeria have not won the title in ten years last lifting the trophy in 2015 in Senegal.
The pressure is on the Aliyu Zubairu-tutored current Flying Eagles to claim a record-extending eight title in Cote d’Ivoire.
Still, Obuh, who led Nigeria’s U20 side to the quarter-finals of the 2011 FIFA U20 World Cup, urged the Flying Eagles to focus first on securing their ticket to the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile.
“The most important objective now is securing a World Cup ticket,” Obuh reiterated. “Only after that can we focus on winning the U20 AFCON title.”
The top four teams at the U20 AFCON will qualify for the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup, which will be held in Chile between September and October.
John Obuh is no stranger to youth football, having managed Nigeria at both U17 and U20 levels with varying degrees of success.
As head coach of the Golden Eaglets, he led Nigeria to the final of the 2009 FIFA U17 World Cup on home soil, where they narrowly lost to Switzerland. His tenure with the Flying Eagles saw him guide the team to victory at the 2011 U20 AFCON in South Africa – Nigeria’s sixth title – and a quarter-final finish at the 2011 FIFA U20 World Cup in Colombia.
Under Obuh’s leadership, Nigeria also finished third at the 2013 U20 AFCON in Algeria, earning qualification for the FIFA U20 World Cup in Turkey, where they reached the Round of 16.
Before his time in coaching, Obuh played for Nigerian clubs such as Abiola Babes, Calabar Rovers, and Udoji United.
He later transitioned into management, coaching clubs like Niger Tornadoes, Kwara United, Enugu Rangers, and Sharks FC, whom he led to WAFU Club Championship glory in 2010.