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Nigeria’s under-20 head coach Aliyu Zubairu has announced a strong 24-man squad for the 2025 Africa U20 Cup of Nations, which is set to commence in Egypt in just 10 days.
At the forefront are impressive goalkeeper Ifeanyi Harcourt, captain and defender Daniel Bameyi, vibrant midfielder Sulaiman Alabi Jojo, and potent forward Kparobo Arierhi.
The lineup features a combination of local talents and international players, including Germany-based defenders Adamu Maigari and Emmanuel Chukwu, Croatia-based midfielder Caleb Ochedikwu, and forwards Clinton Jephta, Divine Oliseh, and Precious Benjamin, who also play in Germany. Simon Cletus completes the midfield with his skillful presence.
The Flying Eagles of Nigeria, who are seven-time African champions and two-time runners-up at the FIFA U20 World Cup, will depart for Egypt on Sunday to engage in pre-tournament friendlies.
Their campaign kicks off against Tunisia in Cairo on May 1, followed by matches against Morocco on May 4 and Kenya on May 7.
The top four teams from the tournament will earn berths at the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile, scheduled from September 27 to October 19. With Zubairu’s mixture of determination and creativity, the Flying Eagles aim to reclaim their continental supremacy and achieve success on the global stage.
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).
