With just days to go before the 2025 Africa U20 Cup of Nations kicks off in Egypt, Head Coach Aliyu Zubairu has unveiled a dynamic and well-balanced 24-man Flying Eagles squad poised to challenge for continental supremacy and a World Cup ticket.
Nigeria, seven-time U20 AFCON champions and two-time FIFA U20 World Cup runners-up, will be hoping to restore their place among the world’s best youth sides. The team will fly out of Nigeria this Sunday and play a series of warm-up matches before their opening Group B clash against Tunisia on May 1st in Cairo.
Blending Homegrown Heroes and European Precision
The squad features a fine blend of domestic stars and overseas-based talents. Fans will be glad to see trusted names like first-choice goalkeeper Ifeanyi Harcourt, commanding captain Daniel Bameyi, midfield engine Sulaiman Alabi Jojo, and goal-hungry forward Kparobo Nathaniel Arierhi in the mix.
Also making the cut are European-based youngsters, including defenders Adamu Maigari and Emmanuel Chukwu (Germany), midfielders Caleb Ochedikwu (Croatia) and Simon Cletus, and attackers Clinton Jephta, Divine Oliseh, and Precious Benjamin, all ready to make their mark on African soil.
Crunch Group B Fixtures:
- May 1st – Nigeria vs Tunisia
- May 4th – Nigeria vs Morocco
- May 7th – Nigeria vs Kenya
The stakes are high, as the top four teams from the tournament will automatically qualify for the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile, which runs from September 27 to October 19.
Read Also: Road to FIFA U20 World Cup: Nigeria Battles Tunisia, Kenya & Morocco in AFCON 2025
Full Squad Breakdown:
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)
Eyes on Egypt, Minds on Chile
Coach Zubairu’s selection reflects a team built for impact — strong, creative, hungry, and determined. The blend of technical midfielders, clinical forwards, and composed defenders gives Nigeria a genuine shot at clinching their 8th title and punching their ticket to Chile 2025.
Fans across Nigeria will be watching with pride and hope as the Flying Eagles step onto the Egyptian turf — ready to soar.
