Nigeria’s U20 team, the Flying Eagles, have landed in Abidjan on Tuesday morning ahead of two friendly matches against Côte d’Ivoire’s Young Elephants.
The contingent was led by Member of the NFF Executive, Alhaji Ganiyu Majekodunmi. Coach Aliyu Zubairu selected 21 players for the task, among whom are team captain Daniel Bameyi, first-choice goalkeeper Ifeanyi Harcourt, defender Haruna Aliyu, midfielder Cletus Simon and forwards Clinton Japhet and Olalekan Sulaiman Alabi.
The seven-time African champions take on their Ivorian counterparts at the Stade Félix Houphouët Boigny in the Ivorian capital starting from 3.30pm CIV time (4.30pm Nigeria time) on Wednesday. Both teams will again clash on Friday at the same venue, with the same kick-off time.
The squad, led by NFF Executive Member Alhaji Ganiyu Majekodunmi, features 21 selected players, including captain Daniel Bameyi, first-choice goalkeeper Ifeanyi Harcourt, and forwards Clinton Japhet and Olalekan Sulaiman Alabi.
The first match kicks off at 3:30 PM Ivorian time (4:30 PM Nigeria time) on Wednesday at the Stade Félix Houphouët Boigny, with a rematch set for Friday at the same venue.
The Flying Eagles will look to use these games as preparation for upcoming tournaments, with Coach Aliyu Zubairu eager to test his squad’s readiness.
FLYING EAGLES FOR FRIENDLY GAMES WITH CIV
Goalkeepers: Ifeanyi Harcourt (Sporting Lagos); Abubakar Rufai (Mavlon FC)
Defenders: Adamu Maigari (El-Kanemi Warriors); Daniel Bameyi (Bayelsa United); Emmanuel Okoro (Sporting Lagos); Haruna Aliyu (Wikki Tourists); Babatunde Jimoh Faruq; Stephen Jolomi (Mavlon FC)
Midfielders: Kingsley Matthew (Kings FC); Gbolahan Ajisafe Wasiu (Smart City); Anthony Ezekiel; Mohammed Sabiu Ibrahim (Niger Tornadoes); Olalekan Sulaiman Alabi (El-Kanemi Warriors); Shafiu Adamu Duguri (Wikki Tourists); Cletus Simon (Mavlon FC); Nasiru Salihu (El-Kanemi Warriors)
Forwards: Bidemi Olalekan Amole (Real Sapphire Academy); Clinton Japhet (Enyimba FC); Abdulmuiz Adeleke (Adoration FC); Divine Oliseh (Fostar Academy); Ayomide Muftau Mubarak
