Buhari Charges Flying Eagles On Eighth U-20 AFCON Title

President Muhammadu Buhari has charged the Flying Eagles of Nigeria to make the nation proud at the ongoing 2023 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations by lifting the trophy in Egypt.

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, delivered the president's message to the team ahead of Nigeria's semi-final clash with Gambia on Monday by 6 pm.

Dare arrived in Cairo on Sunday alongside former Super Eagles captain Daniel Amokachi.

"Mr President and indeed the whole of Nigeria is proud of what you have already achieved," the minister said. 

"That is the major reason I have been directed by Mr President to come here to see you. 

"The target is to win a World Cup ticket and you have done that."

He continued: "Now, go for the ultimate prize. 

"You can repeat what you did at the WAFU B competition. 

"You can smell the trophy now, so take it step by step and become African champions again."

The seven-time African champions' last triumph at the biennial tourney was in 2015 when they narrowly won Senegal 1-0 in the final courtesy of Bernard Bulbwa's first-half effort in Dakar.

A win against Gambia will guarantee the Flying Eagles a place in the tournament final to have a fighting chance to win a record-extending eighth African title, having already qualified for the 2023 U-20 World Cup in Indonesia.