David Stockbrink, a Dutch-born midfielder, has joined the Flying Eagles’ camp in Katsina ahead of the U20 Africa Cup of Nations, Sports247 reports.
Stockbrink, who is eligible to play for Nigeria through his mother, was invited by Coach Aliyu Zubairu to bolster the squad. He is also eligible to play for Germany.
Stockbrink arrived in Nigeria on Monday, March 11, and expressed his enthusiasm for representing the nation.
“It is an honor to represent Nigeria,” Stockbrink stated, acknowledging his long-held aspiration to play for the national team. He emphasized his commitment to the team, despite being eligible to play for Germany.
Coach Zubairu’s decision to include Stockbrink reflects a strategy to enhance the team’s technical capabilities. The player’s experience within the European youth system is anticipated to contribute significantly to the Flying Eagles’ midfield.
Stockbrink is expected to return to his club in the Netherlands for pre-existing commitments before rejoining the national team for final AFCON preparations.
A source within the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed Stockbrink’s addition as a valuable asset, highlighting the potential for his European experience to positively impact the team’s performance.
The 2025 U20 AFCON serves as a qualifying tournament for the FIFA U20 World Cup, and the NFF aims to assemble a competitive squad.
Coach Zubairu is scheduled to conduct a press conference in Katsina later this week to elaborate on the team’s overall readiness for the tournament.
The NFF and Nigerian football enthusiasts are anticipating the team’s performance in the upcoming U20 African Cup of Nations, scheduled to take place in Côte d’Ivoire from April 16, 2025. Nigeria has been placed in a challenging group alongside Egypt, Morocco, and South Africa, regional heavyweights in African football.
