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Head coach Aliyu Zubairu has named a strong 24-man squad for Nigeria’s campaign at the 2025 Africa U20 Cup of Nations, set to take place in Egypt from April 27 to May 18, Footynaija.com reports.
Goalkeeper Ifeanyi Harcourt, captain and defender Daniel Bameyi, midfield engine Sulaiman Alabi Jojo, and forward Kparobo Arierhi headline a squad brimming with local and overseas-based talent.
Also included are German-based pair Emmanuel Chukwu and Precious Benjamin, Croatia-based midfielder Caleb Ochedikwu, and Clinton Jephta, Divine Oliseh, and Simon Cletus.
Head Coach Aliyu Zubairu has selected first-choice goalkeeper Ifeanyi Harcourt, defender and captain Daniel Bameyi, midfielder Sulaiman Alabi Jojo and forward Kparobo Arierhi among a squad of 24 for this year’s Africa U20 Cup of Nations taking place in Egypt. The tournament gets pic.twitter.com/13KbGRXc5S
— The NFF (@thenff) April 17, 2025
The Flying Eagles, seven-time champions and two-time World Cup runners-up, will depart Nigeria on Sunday and play warm-up matches in Egypt ahead of their group opener against Tunisia in Cairo on May 1. They face Morocco on May 4 before rounding off their group campaign against tournament debutants Kenya on May 7.
Nigeria qualified for the competition by clinching the WAFU B regional title last year, defeating Ghana in the final. They were originally drawn with Egypt, South Africa, and Morocco, but a reshuffle following Ivory Coast’s withdrawal as hosts saw Egypt step in, leading to a revised draw.
Now in Group B, Nigeria will be looking to repeat their dominant showing against Tunisia, whom they thrashed 4-0 in the third-place match at the last edition. Morocco, champions in 1997, present a stiffer challenge, while Kenya are making their debut.
The top four teams in Egypt will qualify for the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile, scheduled for September 27 to October 19.
Hosts Egypt will kick off the tournament against South Africa on April 27, with the final slated for May 18 in Cairo.
U20 AFCON GROUP STAGE SCHEDULE: GROUP B
1 May 2025: Nigeria v Tunisia
1 May 2025: Kenya v Morocco
4 May 2025: Tunisia v Kenya
4 May 2025: Morocco v Nigeria
7 May 2025: Nigeria v Kenya
7 May 2025: Tunisia v Morocco
24 FLYING EAGLES FOR EGYPT 2025:
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)
