Julius OkorieFlying Eagles of Nigeria will depart the shores of the country today for Egypt ahead of the AFCON U20 Championship which kicks off Sunday, April 27 in the land of the Pharaohs.
The Flying Eagles who are seven-time African champions and two-time FIFA Under-20 World Cup runners-up are eyeing the eight continental title and a slot to the next FIFA U-20 world Cup billed for Chile from September 27 to October 19.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe Aliyu Zubairu tutored side are hoping to play a number of shape up matches while camping in Egypt, before their opening match against Tunisia on Thursday May 1 in Cairo, followed their second outing against Morocco on May 4. The last group match will be against Kenya on May 7.
Ahead of the forthcoming battles, coach Zubairu has released a strong 24-man squad with Captain of the side, Daniel Bameyi leading the pack.
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Other notable players include goalkeeper Ifeanyi Harcourt, and forward Kparobo Arierhi. Also included are German-based forward Precious Benjamin, Emmanuel Chukwu of TSG Hoffenheim and Caleb Ochedikwu of Croatian side NK Uljanik Pula.
The four top teams of the tournament will qualify to represent Africa at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile.
Nigeria won the last of her seven U-20 AFCON titles in 2015 beating hosts Senegal by a loan goal.
This year’s tournament begins with Zambia taking on Sierra Leone on Sunday April 27, followed by hosts Egypt filing out against South Africa on the same day.
Here Is Full List Of 24-man Flying Eagles Squad:
Galkeepers:
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) – Captain
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)
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
