Nigeria squad announcement: Lillestrom, Hoffenheim forwards named on Flying Eagles' Afcon roster

Flying Eagles head coach Aliyu Zubairu has unveiled a 24-man squad for the 2025 TotalEnergies U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, as Nigeria targets a record-extending eighth continental title. 

The tournament will be staged in Egypt from April 27 to May 18.

The squad features a blend of home-based and foreign-based talents, including notable names like Emmanuel Chukwu of German side TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Norway-based Kparobo Nathaniel Arierhi, and Croatian-based midfield duo Caleb Ochedikwu and Israel Isaac Ayuma.

Nigeria, two-time FIFA U-20 World Cup finalists, will depart for Egypt on Sunday. 

The team will play a series of friendly matches ahead of their Group B opener against Tunisia on Thursday, May 1, in Cairo. 

The Flying Eagles will then face Morocco on May 4 before wrapping up their group stage campaign against Kenya on May 7.

Coach Zubairu is optimistic about his side’s chances of progressing beyond the group stage and securing one of the four coveted semi-final spots, which guarantee qualification for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile.

The Flying Eagles are also chasing continental glory for the first time in a decade, having last won the title in 2015 when they defeated Senegal in the final.

The squad includes three goalkeepers, five defenders, six midfielders, and ten forwards. 

Zubairu has placed a premium on youth with international experience, while retaining strong local representation from clubs such as Sporting Lagos, El-Kanemi Warriors, and Enyimba FC.

Full Squad List:

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)

Wale Adejumo

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