Nigeria’s Flying Eagles announce final Squad ahead of showdown in Egypt

The Head Coach, Nigeria’s Flying Eagles, Aliyu Zubairu, has released a final list of 24 players who will represent the country at the upcoming 2025 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt, starting 27 April.

The squad includes first-choice goalkeeper Ifeanyi Harcourt, team captain and defender Daniel Bameyi, midfield maestro Sulaiman Alabi Jojo, and forward Kparobo Arierhi.

Other notable call-ups include defenders Adamu Maigari and Germany-based Emmanuel Chukwu, as well as midfielders Simon Cletus and Croatia-based Caleb Ochedikwu.

In attack, Clinton Jephta, Divine Oliseh, and Germany-based Precious Benjamin complete the forward line.

The Flying Eagles, seven-time African champions and two-time FIFA U-20 World Cup runners-up, will depart Nigeria for Egypt this Sunday.

They are expected to play a series of friendly matches as part of their final preparations before their opening group stage game against Tunisia in Cairo on Thursday, 1 May.

Tough group, higher stakes

Following a redraw triggered by Côte d’Ivoire’s withdrawal as hosts, Nigeria now competes in Group B alongside Tunisia, Morocco, and Kenya.

This new group presents a fresh set of challenges for the Flying Eagles.

Morocco and Tunisia bring technical discipline and tactical strength, while Kenya is considered a rising force in youth football.

The top two teams in each group will advance to the quarter-finals.

After facing Tunisia, the Flying Eagles will take on Morocco on 4 May and wrap up the group phase with a clash against Kenya on 7 May—all matches to be played in Cairo.

AFCON as World Cup gateway

This year’s U-20 AFCON is not just about continental glory. It also serves as a qualifier for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup, scheduled to take place in Chile from 27 September to 19 October.

Only the four semi-finalists from the Egypt tournament will earn tickets to represent Africa on the global stage.

Preparation and ambitions

The Flying Eagles recently concluded a three-week training camp in Katsina before returning to Abuja. The team is expected to travel to Egypt with high morale and a clear goal—to qualify for the World Cup and compete for the U-20 AFCON title.

Despite the late changes in hosting and group composition, Nigeria’s objective remains the same: to dominate the group, reach the knockout rounds, and secure a spot on the world stage.

24 FLYING EAGLES FOR EGYPT 2025:

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)

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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)

PHOTO Caption: Flying Eagle Divine Oliseh rides on the back of an Ivorian Young Elephant during a friendly match in Abidjan in February 2025.