The head coach of the U-20 national team, Flying Eagles, Aliy Zubairu, has revealed a 24-man squad for the upcoming U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
The Insight Media Sports Arena gathered that the 2025 U-20 AFCON will take place from April 27 to May 18, 2025.
The Flying Eagles coach named first-choice goalkeeper, Ifeanyi Harcourt of sporting Lagos, defender and captain, Daniel Bameyi of Bayelsa United, midfielder Sulaiman Alabi of Elkanemi warrior and forward Kparobo Arierhi of Lillestrom SK, Norway in the squad.
The squad released is a combination of Nigerian based and foreign players who have proved themselves in training while in Abuja ahead of the tournament.
Among the top foreign-based players invited are: Emmanuel Chukwu, Precious Benjamin, all of German outfit TSG Hoffenheim and Kparobo Arierhi (Lillestrom SK, Norway).
The Flying Eagles are seven-time African champions and two-time FIFA Under-20 World Cup runners-up, they will depart Nigeria on Sunday for Cairo in a bid to clinch an eighth continental title.
The team is scheduled to play a series of warm-up matches in Egypt before their group opener against Tunisia on May 1.
They will then face Morocco on May 4, followed by a clash against Kenya on May 7 to wrap up the group games.
Insight Media Sports Arena reports that any team that reach Semi final from the tournament will qualify to represent Africa at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Chile, slated for Sept. 27 to Oct. 19, 2025.
The squad in full: 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).
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