Zubairu Names 24-Man Squad as Flying Eagles Set Sights on U20 AFCON Glory

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Flying Eagles head coach, Aliyu Zubairu, has named a strong 24-man squad for the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt, with defenders Daniel Bameyi, Clinton Jephta, and forward Kparobo Nathaniel Arierhi headlining the list.

The seven-time African champions and two-time FIFA U20 World Cup finalists will depart Nigeria for Egypt on Sunday, ahead of their opening fixture against Tunisia on Thursday, 1st May in Cairo. The team is scheduled to engage in a couple of warm-up friendlies to fine-tune preparations for the continental showpiece.

Zubairu’s squad is a balanced mix of home-based talent and Europe-based prospects, underlining the team’s ambitions to not only make a strong showing at the tournament but also secure one of the four available tickets to the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile.

Among the notable inclusions are Emmanuel Chukwu and Precious Benjamin of German Bundesliga side TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, as well as Kparobo Arierhi, who plies his trade with Lillestrom SK in Norway. The midfield boasts Croatian-based duo Caleb Ochedikwu (NK Uljanik Pula) and Israel Ayuma (NK Istra), while the versatile Daniel Bameyi returns as a key figure in defense.

The Flying Eagles are drawn in a challenging group alongside Tunisia, Morocco, and Kenya. Following the opener against Tunisia, Nigeria will face Morocco on Sunday, 4th May, before concluding the group stage against Kenya on Wednesday, 7th May.

Full Squad – 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)

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 eyes firmly set on reclaiming African glory and making a return to the world stage, Nigeria’s Flying Eagles will hope to combine experience and youthful flair as they march into Egypt 2025.

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