Sporting Lagos lead Flying Eagles call-ups as Maikaba names 35 players for WAFU B

New head coach of Nigeria’s Flying Eagles Abdu Maikaba has unveiled a 35-man squad ahead of the WAFU B U20 Championship in Côte d’Ivoire this July, Footynaija reports.

Maikaba selected three goalkeepers, 10 defenders, 11 midfielders and 11 forwards in a squad made up largely of home-based talent.

Twenty-eight of the players currently play in Nigeria, with clubs from the Nigeria Premier Football League, the Nigeria National League and several academies represented. Sporting Lagos provided the highest number of players, with four youngsters making the list.

Just got the U20 call up to the Flying Eagles. 🇳🇬

Feels like a dream. To God be the glory. 🙏🏽🦅 pic.twitter.com/q4IsfmLFxj

— Lawani Clinton (@LawaniClinton) May 15, 2026

There is also strong overseas representation. Spain-based duo Wahab Bolanle Musa of Málaga CF and Imrana Mohammed of Deportivo Alavés were included alongside NK Istra 1961 pair Abubakar Rufai and Mutari Momoh.

Simon Cletus of HNK Rijeka returns to the squad, while Peter Pam Davou, who plays for Czech side MFK Vítkovice, also earned a place.

All the invited players are expected to arrive in Abuja on Saturday as preparations begin for the regional competition.

The Flying Eagles remain one of Africa’s most successful youth teams despite mixed recent results. Nigeria reached the last 16 of the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile and also secured bronze at the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations after beating Egypt on penalties in the third-place match.

🚨BREAKING: Four Sporting Lagos players have been invited to the Flying Eagles camp ahead of the WAFU B Tournament preparations 🇳🇬💙

• Seun Akanji
• Victor Samuel
• Clinton Kolawole
• Alex Leme

Another proud moment for Sporting Lagos and Nigerian grassroots football 🌟 pic.twitter.com/qPIWMVPsgW

— Bolajibale_Footballtalk (@BolajiBale12) May 15, 2026

Flying Eagles’ 35-man squad

Goalkeepers: Clinton Lawani (Sporting Lagos); Abubakar Rufai (NK-Istra 1961(Croatia); Uchechukwu Aloysius (Akwa United)

Defenders: Ayinla Olayomi (Warri Wolves); Abubakar Aliyu (Wikki Tourists); Favour Nkwocha (Morak FC); Wahab Bolanle Musa (FC Malaga, Spain); Bonaventure Chiemela (Inter Lagos); Gamagira Umar Suleman (Ranchers Bees); Mathias Azi Yakubu (GBS); Mutari Momoh (NK-Istra 1961, Croatia); Abdulaziz Musa Ndaman (Mavlon FC); Godwin Samuel (Ikon Allah FC)

Midfielders: Victor Samuel (Sporting Lagos); Oraro Apine (Warri Wolves); Sale Abdulrashid (Kryubar FC, Ukraine); Sa’ad Tijjani (Barau FC); Imran Ahmad (Kano Pillars); Peres Jerem (P Sports); Ayeni Samson (Stormers FC); Habila Simeon Sulai (GBS); Simon Karshe Cletus (FC Rijeka, Croatia); Auwalu Mohammed (Bichi First FC); Ibrahim Yakubu (Turbo Touch)

Forwards: Abba Dalli (Katsina United); Prince Columbus (Forster Academy); Goodluck Angel (P Sports); Imrana Mohammed (FC Alaves, Spain); Adamu Hussaini (Barau FC); Seun Akanji (Sporting Lagos); Shamsudeen Adamu Abdullahi (Capital City FC); Alex Leme (Sporting Lagos); Ezekiel Oguchukwu (Mavlon FC); Mus’ab Suleiman (Footwork FC); Peter Pam Davou (Vitkovice, Czech Republic).