The Flying Eagles, seven-time African champions, will face their Zambian counterparts in two friendly games in Abuja as part of their preparations for this year’s Africa U-20 Cup of Nations.
The tour was confirmed following a request letter from the Nigeria Football Federation on January 13, which met with the Football Association of Zambia’s eager acceptance.
Adrian Kashala, FAZ’s General Secretary, stated in a letter that the Zambia football governing body approved the proposal.
The tour proposal calls for FAZ to fly the Junior Chipolopolo to Nigeria, while the NFF will cover the costs of lodging, feeding, and other logistics for the Zambia delegation.
The two matches will take place on Friday, January 27, and Monday, January 30.
The free-scoring Eagles have scored a total of 10 goals in two friendly games since resuming camp after the Yuletide – the latest being a 5-1 mauling of Galadima FC in Abuja on Wednesday.
Champions of the WAFU B U-20 Championship held in Niger Republic in May 2022, the Flying Eagles have been drawn to play hosts Egypt, Senegal, and Mozambique in Group A of the Africa U20 Cup of Nations from February 19 to March 11.
Zambia, champions of the 2017 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations, which they hosted, reached the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Korea Republic the same year, before losing to Italy after extra time in Suwon.
In Egypt, Zambia will be up against Tunisia, Benin Republic and The Gambia in Group C, while Uganda, Central African Republic, South Sudan and Congo battle things out in Group B.
All four semi-finalists in Egypt will qualify to represent Africa at the 23rd FIFA U-20 World Cup finals slated for Indonesia from May 20 to June 11.