Head Coach Aliyu Zubairu has unveiled a strong 24-man squad for Nigeria’s campaign at the 2025 Africa U20 Cup of Nations in Egypt, with key names like first-choice goalkeeper Ifeanyi Harcourt, captain and defender Daniel Bameyi, midfield dynamo Sulaiman Alabi Jojo, and prolific forward Kparobo Arierhi making the list.
Also included are overseas-based talents such as defenders Adamu Maigari and Emmanuel Chukwu (Germany), midfielders Caleb Ochedikwu (Croatia) and Simon Cletus, as well as forwards Clinton Jephta, Divine Oliseh, and Precious Benjamin (Germany).
The seven-time African champions, who are also two-time FIFA U20 World Cup runners-up, are set to depart Nigeria on Sunday ahead of the tournament kickoff in 10 days. They will play a couple of warm-up games before clashing with Tunisia in their opening Group B game in Cairo on Thursday, May 1st.
Zubairu’s boys will then face Morocco on May 4th and wrap up the group stage against Kenya on May 7th. The top four teams of the tournament will secure qualification for the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile, scheduled from September 27th to October 19th.
Full 24-Man Squad for Egypt 2025
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)
The Flying Eagles will be aiming not just for continental glory but also to book a ticket to Chile for the global showpiece later this year.
