Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Ibrahim Gusau, has praised the Flying Eagles for their impressive 3-1 victory over Niger Republic, which secured them a spot in the final of the WAFU B U-20 Championship.

The Flying Eagles, who are reigning champions, will now face arch-rivals Ghana in the final scheduled for Wednesday night.

The victory over Niger not only propelled the Nigerian side to the final but also secured their qualification for the 2025 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations, set to take place in South Africa next year.

Reflecting on the team’s journey, Gusau acknowledged their challenging start, noting that the squad showed resilience after losing their opening match 1-0 to Burkina Faso.

However, they bounced back in style, defeating Ivory Coast 2-1 to earn a place in the semi-finals.

“I commend the fighting spirit of the Flying Eagles in reaching the final of the WAFU B U20 Championship and in the process, winning a slot at the 2025 Africa U20 Cup of Nations,” Gusau told thenff.com.

Nigeria qualifies for the WAFU B U20 final after beating Niger 3-1 in he semi-final. Photo | X

He also expressed confidence in the team’s growth: “I watched their first game against Burkina Faso,(which they lost 0-1) but the team has continued to improve with every match since then.”

The NFF is delighted with their performance. “We believe they have what it takes to go all the way and successfully defend their title against the Ghanaians in Wednesday’s final.”

With their sights now set on the final, the Flying Eagles aim to cap off their campaign with another victory and retain their WAFU B crown.