Aliyu Zubairu, the head coach of the Flying Eagles, has confirmed his final 24-man squad for this year’s Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations (U-20 AFCON) set to take place in Egypt. The squad includes standout players such as goalkeeper Ifeanyi Harcourt, team captain and defender Daniel Bameyi, midfielder Sulaiman Alabi Jojo, and forward Kparobo Arierhi, all of whom are expected to play key roles in the tournament.
The U-20 AFCON will be held from April 27 to May 18, 2025, in Egypt, and the Flying Eagles are gearing up for what promises to be a highly competitive tournament. Zubairu’s selection consists of three goalkeepers, five defenders, six midfielders, and ten forwards, each chosen for their individual abilities and their potential to contribute to the team’s success.
Harcourt, the first-choice goalkeeper, will be joined by Rufai Abubakar of Mavlon FC and Soliu Ajia Yakub from FK Novi Pazar in Serbia, who will provide backup in the goalkeeping department. In defence, Bameyi, who plays for Bayelsa United, will lead a strong backline that also includes Adamu Maigari from El-Kanemi Warriors, Odinaka Okoro of Sporting Lagos, Emmanuel Chukwu from Germany’s TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, and Chigozie Michael Ihejiofor of Katsina United.
The midfield boasts a mix of local and international talent, with Alabi of El-Kanemi Warriors, Caleb Ochedikwu from NK Uljanik Pula in Croatia, Israel Isaac Ayuma from NK Istra in Croatia, Simon Cletus of Mavlon FC, Auwal Ibrahim from Akwa United, and Shafiu Adamu Duguri from Wikki Tourists all making the cut.
Upfront, former Beyond Limits striker Arierhi will lead the charge and is joined by a talented group of forwards, including Precious Benjamin of TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in Germany, Ezekiel Anthony Kpangu of Inspire FC, Divine Oliseh from Forster Academy, Clinton Jephta of Enyimba FC, Bidemi Amole from Real Sapphire FC, Tahir Maigana of Wireless FC, Theophilus Mendos Rickson of Niger Tornadoes, Matthew Kingsley of Kings FC, and Yushau Armiyau of Katsina United.
The Flying Eagles, who are seven-time African champions and two-time World Cup runners-up, will depart Nigeria for Egypt on Sunday. Once in Egypt, the team is expected to play several friendly matches in preparation for their opening match of the competition, which will see them face Tunisia in Cairo on May 1.
Following the Tunisia clash, the Flying Eagles will take on Morocco on May 4, also in Cairo, before rounding off their group stage campaign with a match against Kenya on May 7. Nigeria has been placed in Group B, alongside Tunisia, Morocco, and Kenya, as they seek to secure their eighth continental title.
Initially, the Flying Eagles were drawn in a tougher group with Egypt, South Africa, and Morocco, but the withdrawal of Ivory Coast as host led to a reshuffling of the groups. The top four teams from the tournament will qualify for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup, which will be held in Chile from September 27 to October 19. As such, the Flying Eagles are not only targeting continental glory but also a chance to compete on the world stage.
