History-making European club confirm Ajibona and Buhari have received Flying Eagles call ups

Armenian Premier League side FC Alashkert have announced that Nigerian youngsters Usman Ajibona and Yahaya Buhari have been called up to the U20 national team, the Flying Eagles.

The Yerevan-based club confirmed the news via their official website, though Buhari will be unavailable for the ongoing training camp in Abuja after being ruled out with injury. 

Ajibona has received clearance to join up with the national team as preparations intensify for the Fifa U20 World Cup in Chile.

Ajibona, 18, began his career at Dosu Joseph FC before moving abroad, featuring for FDC Vista in Russia and FC Van in Armenia, prior to his summer switch to Alashkert. 

The striker is yet to make his debut this season but registered two goals in eleven appearances in the Armenian Premier League last term.

Alashkert's progress in recent years reflects their rapid rise since being founded in 2011. 

The club made history in 2021 by becoming the first Armenian side to compete in the group stage of a European competition, when they qualified for the UEFA Europa Conference League. 

They also became the first team from the country to record a point in a UEFA group stage fixture.

Nigerian players have become an increasingly notable part of the Alashkert story. 

Alongside Ajibona and Buhari, the squad also includes Malik Odeyinka (19) and Obi Chima (18), although neither was called up for the current Flying Eagles camp. 

The four-time Armenian champions further strengthened their Nigerian contingent last month with the acquisition of 21-year-old midfielder Ifeanyi David Nduka, previously on the books of FC Van, Arsenal Tula, Botev Plovdiv and FDC Vista.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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