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Super Eagles alert: Three Flying Eagles stars who impressed Eric Chelle at the U20 AFCON

4 hours ago
by Obi Donald
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In the shimmering heat of Egypt, where the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations has been a showcase of emerging African talent, Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have once again proved why they remain a powerhouse in youth football, Soccernet.ng reports.

They may have fallen short of the final, tripped up in the semifinals by a resurgent South Africa side, but Aliyu Zubairu’s team have left a mark — not just on the tournament, but in the thoughts of Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle.

Nigeria’s third-place playoff against hosts Egypt is still to come, but Chelle, who has been in the stands in Cairo, has already seen enough.

Among the flying flurry of goals, grit, and green shirts, three young Nigerians have stood taller than most. They are not just ones for the future — they’re knocking on the doors of the present.

Here are the three Flying Eagles stars who have captured Chelle’s imagination — and may just be poised to graduate into Super Eagles duty.

Odinaka Okoro: Flying left-back dynamo

Nigeria Flying Eagles stars Odinaka Okoro and Ebenezer Harcourt

It’s not every day you see a left-back dominate a tournament in such assured fashion, especially when he’s only just broken into professional football. Odinaka Okoro, the trailblazing academy graduate from Sporting Lagos, has been a revelation.

Fearless, dynamic, and technically sharp, the 18-year-old has transformed the left side of Nigeria’s defence into a launchpad for attack and a wall in equal measure. Odinaka assisted Nigeria’s first goal of the tournament and his inclusion in the CAF Best XI of the group stage was no accident.

Okoro has faced a gauntlet of North and Sub-Saharan African wingers — Morocco, Tunisia, Kenya, Senegal, South Africa — and barely put a foot wrong. His ability to read danger, close space, and spring forward with purpose has drawn inevitable comparisons to Nigeria’s great full-backs of old.

With Zaidu Sanusi and Jamilu Collins nursing injury setbacks and question marks lingering over the depth in the left-back position, Eric Chelle may see Okoro as more than just a promising talent. He could be the Super Eagles’ long-term answer on that flank.

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Daniel Bameyi: The born leader in central defence

U20 AFCON: Nigeria Flying Eagles coach Aliyu Zubairu and captain Daniel Bameyi
U20 AFCON: Nigeria Flying Eagles coach Aliyu Zubairu and captain Daniel Bameyi. Photo by IMAGO

Leadership is not age-bound. And Daniel Bameyi has proven that in abundance.

Only 19, but already playing with the assurance of a veteran, the Bayelsa United centre-back has captained the Flying Eagles with maturity and control. Three clean sheets in five matches tell part of the story. The rest? Calm positioning, intelligent interceptions, and vocal organisation.

Despite lacking towering height, Bameyi more than makes up for it with impeccable timing and defensive nous. CAF recognised his influence by naming him Man of the Match in Nigeria’s crucial win over Morocco.

Bameyi may not yet be a household name, but those watching closely — including Chelle — understand his value. With William Troost-Ekong approaching the twilight of his international career, Bameyi could be groomed as his natural successor. The Unity Cup later this month presents the perfect audition.

Ebenezer Harcourt: The teenage goalkeeper turning heads

Nigeria Flying Eagles star Ebenezer Harcourt
Nigeria Flying Eagles star Ebenezer Harcourt

You wouldn’t expect a 15-year-old to steal the show at a continental U20 tournament. But Ebenezer Ifeanyi Harcourt has done just that.

The youngest player at the 2025 U20 AFCON hasn’t just participated — he’s owned his penalty area like a seasoned professional. His calm under pressure, sharp reflexes, and astonishing maturity have been central to Nigeria’s run to the semi-finals.

Three clean sheets. Two penalty saves in a dramatic quarter-final shootout win against defending champions Senegal. And just two goals conceded in regulation play across five matches. It’s been nothing short of spectacular.

What truly underlines his rise is Chelle’s own public appreciation — posting Harcourt’s penalty heroics on his social media feed.

In a Super Eagles squad where the goalkeeping department remains a concern, Harcourt’s emergence could not be better timed.

Yes, it’s early days, but Nigeria may have unearthed its next great number one.

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