Head coach of Nigeria’s U-20 national team (Flying Eagles), Aliyu Zubairu, has officially released a 24-man squad for the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), scheduled to run from April 27 to May 18 in Egypt.
The Flying Eagles, seven-time African champions and two-time FIFA U-20 World Cup runners-up, will be looking to secure an eighth continental title and a ticket to the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile.
Zubairu’s squad features a strong mix of home-based talent and foreign-based stars, with several standout names included. First-choice goalkeeper Ifeanyi Harcourt, team captain and defender Daniel Bameyi, midfield engine Sulaiman Alabi, and forward Kparobo Arierhi headline the list.
Foreign-based players making the cut include Emmanuel Chukwu and Precious Benjamin of TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, and Kparobo Arierhi from Lillestrom SK in Norway, all of whom bring valuable international experience to the squad.
The team has been in intensive training in Abuja and is set to depart for Cairo on Sunday, where they will continue preparations with a series of warm-up friendlies before their Group Stage opener.
Flying Eagles’ Group Fixtures at 2025 U-20 AFCON:
- May 1: Nigeria vs Tunisia
- May 4: Nigeria vs Morocco
- May 7: Nigeria vs Kenya
The top four teams from the tournament will qualify to represent Africa at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, slated for September 27 to October 19.
Flying Eagles Full 24-Man Squad for 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 (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 (Lillestrom SK, Norway)
- Matthew Kingsley (Kings FC)
- Yushau Armiyau (Katsina United)
With depth, talent, and experience across all departments, Nigeria’s Flying Eagles look poised for a strong campaign in Egypt as they chase both continental glory and a spot at the world stage.
