Flying Eagles head coach, Aliyu Zubairu, has released a 24-man squad for the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), scheduled to take place in Egypt from April 27 to May 18.
The squad, unveiled in Abuja, features a blend of home-based and foreign-based talents. Key players include first-choice goalkeeper Ifeanyi Harcourt, team captain and defender Daniel Bameyi, midfielder Sulaiman Alabi, and striker Kparobo Arierhi.
Notable foreign-based call-ups include Emmanuel Chukwu and Precious Benjamin of TSG Hoffenheim (Germany), and Kparobo Arierhi of Lillestrom SK (Norway).
The seven-time African champions and two-time FIFA U-20 World Cup runners-up will depart Nigeria for Cairo on Sunday. In preparation for the tournament, the team will play several warm-up matches in Egypt before kicking off their Group B campaign against Tunisia on May 1. They will then face Morocco on May 4 and wrap up the group stage against Kenya on May 7.
The top four teams at the U-20 AFCON will qualify to represent Africa at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, scheduled for September 27 to October 19.
Full 24-Man Squad:
Goalkeepers:
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Ifeanyi Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos)
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Rufai Abubakar (Mavlon FC)
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Soliu Ajia Yakub (FK Novi Pazar, Serbia)
Defenders:
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Adamu Maigari (El-Kanemi Warriors)
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Odinaka Okoro (Sporting Lagos)
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Daniel Bameyi (Bayelsa United)
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Emmanuel Chukwu (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany)
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Chigozie Michael Ihejiofor (Katsina United)
Midfielders:
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Caleb Ochedikwu (NK Uljanik Pula, Croatia)
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Israel Isaac Ayuma (NK Istra, Croatia)
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Simon Cletus (Mavlon FC)
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Sulaiman Alabi (El-Kanemi Warriors)
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Auwal Ibrahim (Akwa United)
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Shafiu Duguri (Wikki Tourists)
Forwards:
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Precious Benjamin (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany)
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Ezekiel Anthony Kpangu (Inspire FC)
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Divine Oliseh (Forster Academy)
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Clinton Jephta (Enyimba FC)
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Bidemi Amole (Real Sapphire FC)
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Tahir Maigana (Wireless FC)
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Theophilus Mendos Rickson (Niger Tornadoes)
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Kparobo Nathaniel Arierhi (Lillestrom SK, Norway)
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Matthew Kingsley (Kings FC)
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Yushau Armiyau (Katsina United).
