U-20 AFCON: Flying Eagles coach Aliyu Zubairu names final squad for tournament

Head coach of Nigeria’s U-20 national male team, Aliyu Zubairu, has named a 24-man squad for the upcoming U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Zubairu’s selection is a blend of home based and foreign players ahead of the tournament to be hosted in Egypt in the next 10 days.

Some top foreign based players invited include Emmanuel Chukwu, Precious Benjamin all of German outfit TSG Hoffenheim. Kparobo Nathaniel Arierhi, who plies his trade for Norway club Lillestrom SK also made the squad with other home based youngsters concluding the list.

The Flying Eagles, who are seven-time African champions and two-time FIFA Under-20 World Cup runners-up, will depart Nigeria on Sunday for Cairo in a bid to chase an eighth continental title.

They are scheduled to play a series of warm-up matches in Egypt before their group opener against North African side Tunisia on Thursday, May 1, in Cairo. Nigeria will then face Morocco on May 4, followed by a clash against East African side Kenya on May 7 to wrap up the group games.

The top four teams from the tournament will qualify to represent Africa at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Chile, scheduled from September 27 to October 19.

Flying Eagles squad for the 2025 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) – Captain

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)