U-20 AFCON: Flying Eagles coach Announces 24-man squad [FULL LIST]

Flying Eagles Set for U-20 AFCON with 24-Man Squad Announcement

Aliy Zubairu, the head coach of Nigeria’s U-20 national football team, the Flying Eagles, has announced a 24-man squad ahead of the upcoming U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) scheduled to be held in Egypt. The tournament is set to take place from April 27 to May 18, 2025.

According to reports from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Zubairu has selected key players for the squad including first-choice goalkeeper Ifeanyi Harcourt, team captain and defender Daniel Bameyi, midfielder Sulaiman Alabi, and forward Kparobo Arierhi. The squad showcases a mix of local and international talents, all of whom have been training rigorously in Abuja in preparation for the tournament.

Notable foreign-based players included in the squad are Emmanuel Chukwu and Precious Benjamin, both from the German club TSG Hoffenheim, as well as Kparobo Arierhi, who plays for Lillestrøm SK in Norway. The Flying Eagles, proud seven-time champions of Africa and two-time runners-up at the FIFA U-20 World Cup, are set to depart from Nigeria on Sunday for Cairo, aiming to secure their eighth continental title.

In Egypt, the Flying Eagles plan to engage in several warm-up matches to fine-tune their strategy before their opening group match against Tunisia on May 1. They will also compete against Morocco on May 4 and complete their group stage with a game against Kenya on May 7.

As reported, the top four teams from the tournament will earn the opportunity to represent Africa at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, set to run from September 27 to October 19.

Full Squad Breakdown:

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 (El-Kanemi Warriors)
• Auwal Ibrahim (Akwa United)
• Shafiu 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 (Lillestrøm SK, Norway)
• Matthew Kingsley (Kings FC)
• Yushau Armiyau (Katsina United)

As the Flying Eagles prepare for their AFCON campaign, the football community eagerly anticipates their performance and potential qualification for the World Cup.