Head coach Aliy Zubairu has announced a 24-man squad for Nigeria’s U-20 national team, the Flying Eagles, for the upcoming U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, featuring a blend of home-based and foreign-based players

[dropcap]A[/dropcap]liy Zubairu, the head coach of Nigeria’s U-20 national team, the Flying Eagles, has announced his 24-man squad that will represent the nation at the upcoming U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt.

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Freelanews reports that the 2025 U-20 AFCON is scheduled to take place from April 27 to May 18.

Zubairu’s selection includes key players such as first-choice goalkeeper Ifeanyi Harcourt, dependable defender and team captain Daniel Bameyi, dynamic midfielder Sulaiman Alabi, and promising forward Kparobo Arierhi.

The squad is a balanced mix of talented home-based players and exciting foreign-based prospects who have been undergoing intensive training in Abuja in preparation for the continental tournament.

Notable foreign-based players included in the squad are Emmanuel Chukwu and Precious Benjamin, both representing German club TSG Hoffenheim, as well as Kparobo Arierhi from Lillestrom SK in Norway.

The Flying Eagles, who boast a rich history as seven-time African champions and two-time runners-up at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup, are set to depart Nigeria for Cairo on Sunday with the aim of securing an unprecedented eighth continental title.

The team has scheduled a series of crucial warm-up matches in Egypt to fine-tune their strategies and cohesion before their opening group stage match against Tunisia on May 1.

Following the opener, Nigeria will face Morocco on May 4 and conclude their group phase campaign with a clash against Kenya on May 7.

Freelanews also reports that the top four teams from the U-20 AFCON in Egypt will earn the right to represent the African continent at the prestigious FIFA Under-20 World Cup, which is slated to be held in Chile from September 27 to October 19.

Full Flying Eagles 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)