FLYING EAGLES head coach Aliyu Zubairu has selected a squad of 24 players, some of them based in Europe, for the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
The Nigerian side are among 13 national teams participating in the tournament, scheduled for April 27 to May 18 in the North African country.
Zubairu named first-choice goalkeeper Ifeanyi Harcourt, defender and captain Daniel Bameyi, midfielder Sulaiman Alabi Jojo and forward Kparobo Arierhi among his squad, with the Flying Eagles set to face Tunisia, Morocco and Kenya in Group B.
Defenders Adamu Maigari and Emmanuel Chukwu (based in Germany), midfielders Caleb Ochedikwu (based in Croatia) and Simon Cletus, and forwards Clinton Jephta, Divine Oliseh and Precious Benjamin (based in Germany) are also included.
According to the Nigeria Football Federation, the seven-time African champions and two-time World Cup runners-up will depart Nigeria for Egypt on Sunday, where they are expected to play two friendly matches before their opening match of the competition against Tunisia in Cairo on May 1.
Three days after the encounter with the Tunisians, the Flying Eagles will be up against Morocco (also in Cairo) before rounding off their group phase against Kenya on May 7.
All four semi-finalists at the U-20 AFCON in Egypt will represent Africa at this year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile from September 27 to October 19.
FLYING EAGLES SQUAD FOR 2025 U-20 AFCON
Goalkeepers: Ifeanyi Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos); Rufai Abubakar (Mavlon FC); Soliu Ajia Yakub (FK Novi Pazar, Serbia)
Defenders: Adamu Maigari (El-Kanemi Warriors); Odinaka Okoro (Sporting Lagos); Daniel Bameyi (Bayelsa United); Emmanuel Chukwu (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Germany); Chigozie Michael Ihejiofor (Katsina United)
Midfielders: Caleb Ochedikwu (NK Uljanik Pula, Croatia); Israel Isaac Ayuma (NK Istra, Croatia); Simon Cletus (Mavlon FC); Sulaiman Alabi Jojo (El-Kanemi Warriors); Auwal Ibrahim (Akwa United); Shafiu Adamu Duguri (Wikki Tourists)
Forwards: Precious Benjamin (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Germany); Ezekiel Anthony Kpangu (Inspire FC); Divine Oliseh (Forster Academy); Clinton Jephta (Enyimba FC); Bidemi Amole (Real Sapphire FC); Tahir Maigana (Wireless FC); Theophilus Mendos Rickson (Niger Tornadoes); Kparobo Nathaniel Arierhi (Lillestrom SK, Norway); Matthew Kingsley (Kings FC); Yushau Armiyau (Katsina United)
