Sports
Hon. Kabiru Amadu Expresses Optimism In Flying Eagles Chances At CAF U20 AFCON In Egypt
Joel Ajayi
The Chairman of the House Committee on Sports, Hon. Kabiru Amadu, has expressed strong optimism that Nigeria’s U-20 national team, the Flying Eagles, will soar to victory at the upcoming CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) scheduled to hold in Egypt.
Hon. Amadu who represents Gusau/Tsafe Federal constituency, in a farewell message praised the team’s current form – being current WAFU B champions, discipline, and technical capacity under the leadership of Coach Aliyu Zubairu, expressing full confidence in their ability to bring home the trophy for the seventh time.
“Our boys are talented, focused, and hungry for glory,” Hon. Amadu stated.
“With the level of preparation, the support of the Nigeria Football Federation, and the fighting spirit that the Flying Eagles are known for, I strongly believe we are in for a victorious tournament in Egypt by picking FIFA U20 World Cup ticket and lifting the CAF U20 AFCON trophy.”
The Chairman also applauded the Nigeria Sports Commission and the NFF for ensuring early preparations, including rigorous training camps and quality international friendlies, which have kept the players sharp and competitive.
Hon. Amadu reaffirmed the House Committee’s commitment to supporting youth sports development and providing legislative backing for programs aimed at discovering and nurturing young talent.
“Our committee will continue to advocate for increased investment in grassroots football and ensure that our national teams, especially at the youth level, get the necessary support to compete and win on the global stage,” he added.
He called on Nigerians across the world to rally behind the Flying Eagles, offering prayers and moral support as they aim for continental glory.
The CAF U-20 AFCON in Egypt promises to be a showcase of Africa’s best young talent, and Nigeria—record six-time champions of the tournament—will be looking to extend their dominance and secure qualification for the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
The Nigeria U20 team who will fly out of the country on Sunday is housed in Group B alongside Tunisia, Kenya and Morocco. The CAF age grade competition will commence on 27th April and ends on 18th May, 2025. All four semifinalists will represent Africa at the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup.
Sports
FCT FA Board Member Urges Grassroots Reform, Hopeful For Super Eagles World Cup Qualification
Legal Practitioner And Administrator Barr Bucknor Threatens To Petition FCT Minister Over Abandoned Stadiums
Despite Nigeria’s precarious position in the race for a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Barrister Babatunde Burknor, a board member of the FCT Football Association (FA), remains hopeful that the Super Eagles can still secure qualification.
Nigeria currently sits third in their qualification group with 11 points from 8 matches, trailing Benin Republic and South Africa, who both lead with 14 points. Yet Burknor, a seasoned football administrator and grassroots sports advocate, believes all is not lost.
In a recent interview made available to BSN Sports, Burknor said: “Nigeria’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup may appear almost impossible, but that doesn’t mean it is out of reach. The situation is tough, yes, but looking at the quality of players in our squad, I still believe we can make it.”
He added that unexpected results from other group rivals could work in Nigeria’s favour.
“Football is unpredictable. There is still a chance that South Africa, Benin Republic, or Rwanda could drop points. If we win our remaining two games, we still stand a chance. Sometimes football reflects life where the strong may fall while the seemingly weak stand tall.”
Calls for Grassroots Reform in the FCT
Beyond national team concerns, Burknor also used the opportunity to address the state of sports development in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), urging the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to take concrete action to revamp local infrastructure.
“We have deep-rooted problems when it comes to grassroots sports. The major issue is a lack of funding and commitment from those charged with driving development at that level,” he said.
Burknor lamented the disappearance of once-thriving youth competitions like the Chairman’s Cup, Principal’s Cup, and Shell Cup, stating that such events played a crucial role in identifying and nurturing young talent.
“It’s disheartening that these programs are no longer active. Development is impossible without facilities, yet we lack even basic training grounds.”
The legal luminary revealed that he personally upgraded the sports facility at a government secondary school in his area to serve as a makeshift training centre, due to the absence of a functioning local stadium.
He is currently drafting a petition to Minister Wike, over abandoned stadiums in FCT, urging a comprehensive audit of officials responsible for sports development across the six Area Councils of the FCT.
Progress in Gwagwalada Football Development
As Vice Chairman of the Gwagwalada Football Council, Burknor highlighted the success of the Gwagwalada Football League, which has become a model for other Area Councils.
“In just two years, we’ve turned the Gwagwalada Football League into a success story. Several players from the league have already secured contracts in Europe. This shows what can be achieved with vision and consistency.”
Barrister Burknor, emphasized that grassroots football holds the key to Nigeria’s long-term football success and must be taken seriously.
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