U-20 AFCON 2025: Zubairu names Hoffenheim, Lillestrom prodigies in Flying Eagles’ 24-man squad

Flying Eagles head coach Aliyu Zubairu has announced a 24-man squad for the upcoming 2025 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations, Soccernet.ng reports.

The former El-Kanemi Warriors’ manager has included standout names, including European-based youngsters Emmanuel Chukwu, who plays for Hoffenheim, and Kparobo Nathaniel Arierhi for Lillestrom SK.

The seven-time African champions will travel to Egypt on Sunday ahead of the tournament, where they will engage in warm-up matches before their opening group game against Tunisia on Thursday, 1st May, in Cairo.

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Zubairu has selected players who are foreign-based and many who are home-based. Goalkeepers Ifeanyi Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos), Rufai Abubakar (Mavlon FC), and Soliu Ajia Yakub (FK Novi Pazar, Serbia) will vie for the number one spot.

In defence, Daniel Bameyi (Bayelsa United) returns to the squad, joined by Adamu Maigari (El-Kanemi Warriors), Odinaka Okoro (Sporting Lagos), Chigozie Michael Ihejiofor (Katsina United), and Emmanuel Chukwu, who plies his trade with Bundesliga side TSG Hoffenheim.

The midfield will be anchored by Croatian-based duo Caleb Ochedikwu (NK Uljanik Pula) and Israel Isaac Ayuma (NK Istra), alongside Mavlon FC’s Simon Cletus and El-Kanemi Warriors’ Sulaiman Alabi Jojo, among others.

Upfront, Zubairu has handed call-ups to several exciting talents, including Precious Benjamin (Hoffenheim), Divine Oliseh (Forster Academy), Clinton Jephta (Enyimba), Bidemi Amole (Real Sapphire), and Kparobo Nathaniel Arierhi, who plays for Norwegian side Lillestrom SK.

Nigeria will play Morocco and Kenya after their opener against Tunisia in the group stage. The top four teams from the tournament will qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, scheduled from 27th September to 19th October.

Full List of Flying Eagles’ 24-Man Squad

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)