Nigeria, Aug. 20 -- Nigeria's U-20 men's national team, the Flying Eagles, have officially kicked off the decisive phase of their preparations for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, with training sessions underway at the NFF/FIFA Goal Project in Abuja.

Head coach Aliyu Zubairu is steering the camp as the squad transitions into what he described as "the most critical stage" of their three-phase buildup to the global showpiece, which begins on 27 September.

Zubairu told journalists in Abuja that he is pleased with progress so far:

"We are at top gear now," the coach declared.

He confirmed that the team is working with a mix of home-based talent and foreign-based prospects, though club release remains a stumbling block.

"We have invited ...