In the shimmering heat of Egypt, where the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations has been a showcase of emerging African talent, Nigeria's Flying Eagles have once again proved why they remain a powerhouse in youth football, Soccernet.ng reports .
They may have fallen short of the final, tripped up in the semifinals by a resurgent South Africa side, but Aliyu Zubairu's team have left a mark - not just on the tournament, but in the thoughts of Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle .
Nigeria's third-place playoff against hosts Egypt is still to come, but Chelle, who has been in the stands in Cairo, has already seen enough.
Among the flying flurry of goals, grit, and green shirts, three young Nigerians have stood taller than most. They are not just ones for the future - they're knocking on the doors of the present.
Here are the three Flying Eagles stars who have captured Chelle's imagination - and may just be poised to graduate into Super Eagles duty.