The Flying Eagles, Nigeria’s U20 national team, have kicked off their training sessions in Abuja in preparation for two important friendly matches against Egypt ahead of the 2025 Africa U20 Cup of Nations. These friendly matches are scheduled for February 25 and 27 in Cairo, Egypt, as the team gears up for the tournament set to take place from 26 April to 18 May in Côte d’Ivoire.
Team Administrator Aliyu Ibrahim announced that Head Coach Aliyu Zubairu has called up a total of 30 players to camp to prepare for these matches. The top four teams from the tournament will secure a spot to represent Africa at the FIFA U20 World Cup, which is slated to be hosted by Chile from September 27 to October 19.
The Flying Eagles have a rich history in African football, having been crowned champions in 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 2005, 2011, and 2015. Their recent success includes winning the WAFU-B U20 Championship in Lomé, Togo, back in October 2024.
Here is the full list of players invited to the training camp:
Goalkeepers:
– Ifeanyi Harcourt (Sporting Lagos)
– Light Emerenonye (Diamond Academy)
– Abubakar Rufai (Mavlon FC)
Defenders:
– Adamu Maigari (El-Kanemi Warriors)
– Daniel Bameyi (Bayelsa United)
– Kenneth Igbokwe (Enugu Rangers)
– Haruna Aliyu (Wikki Tourists)
– Musa Ademu (Wireless FC)
– Shamsudeen Muhammad (Mavlon FC)
– Ibrahim Abdullahi, Shamsudeen Ishaq (Grassrunner FC)
– Steven Jolomi (Mavlon FC)
Midfielders:
– Raphael Oyebanji (Shuffle Select FC)
– Mohammed Ibrahim (Niger Tornadoes)
– Kizito Opara (Campus Academy)
– Alabi Sulaiman Jojo (El-Kanemi Warriors)
– Sulaiman Abubakar (Diamond Academy)
– Shafiu Adamu (Wikki Tourists)
– Cletus Simon (Mavlon FC)
Forwards:
– Bidemi Amole (Real Sapphire Academy)
– Clinton Japhet (Enyimba FC)
– Matthew Chukwusa (Morack Academy)
– Nasiru Salihu (El-Kanemi Warriors)
– Divine Olisha (Fostar Academy)
– Jerry Salami (Aspire Academy)
– Oluwaseyi Akinfenwa (Real Sapphire Academy)
– Shola Adelami (Ikorodu City)
– Abdulrahaman Ishaq (Sport Supply Academy)
– Ezekiel Anthony (Aspire Academy)
– Sodiq Olalekan Adewunmi (Jaguar Sports FC)
The Flying Eagles are determined to make their mark in the upcoming Africa U20 Cup of Nations and secure a spot in the FIFA U20 World Cup. With a talented squad and dedicated coaching staff, they are ready to showcase their skills on the international stage.
