Flying Eagles Coach Aliyu Zubairu Unveils 24-Man Squad for 2025 U-20 AFCON in Egypt

In preparation for the upcoming 2025 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt, Nigeria's U-20 national football team, the Flying Eagles, has announced its final 24-man squad. Head Coach Aliyu Zubairu has selected a blend of home-based talents and foreign-based players to represent the nation in the tournament scheduled from April 27 to May 18

Squad Composition

The squad features a mix of promising local players and those playing their trade abroad. Notable inclusions are:

• Goalkeepers: Ifeanyi Harcourt (Sporting Lagos), Rufai Abubakar (Mavlon FC), and Soliu Ajia Yakub (FK Novi Pazar, Serbia).

• Defenders: Daniel Bameyi (Bayelsa United) – who will captain the team, Emmanuel Chukwu (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Germany), Adamu Maigari (El-Kanemi Warriors), Odinaka Okoro (Sporting Lagos), Theophilus Mendos Rickson (Niger Tornadoes), Kparobo Nathaniel Arierhi (Lillestrom SK, Norway), Matthew Kingsley (Kings FC), and Yushau Armiyau (Katsina United).

• Midfielders: Sulaiman Alabi Jojo, Simon Cletus, and Caleb Ochedikwu (Croatia-based).

• Forwards: Clinton Jephta, Divine Oliseh, and Precious Benjamin (Germany-based).

Tournament Outlook

The Flying Eagles, seven-time African champions and two-time FIFA U-20 World Cup runners-up, are set to depart Nigeria for Egypt on Sunday. They will engage in a series of friendly matches as part of their final preparations before their opening group stage game against Tunisia in Cairo on Thursday, May 1

Subsequent group matches include encounters with Morocco on May 4 and Kenya on May 7. The top four teams from the tournament will qualify to represent Africa at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, scheduled from September 27 to October 19 

Expectations and Goals

Coach Zubairu has expressed confidence in the team's composition, emphasizing the blend of experience and youthful vigor. The squad aims to secure Nigeria's eighth continental title and a spot in the upcoming FIFA U-20 World Cup.

The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) and fans nationwide are hopeful that the Flying Eagles will deliver a commendable performance and showcase the nation's footballing prowess on the continental stage.

*For more updates on the Flying Eagles and the 2025 U-20 AFCON, stay tuned to official NFF communications and reputable sports news outlets.*