2025 U-20 AFCON: Flying Eagles coach announces 24-man squad (Full list)

Aliyu Zubairu, head coach of Nigeria’s U-20 national team, the Flying Eagles, has released a 24-man list ahead of the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations scheduled to be held in Egypt.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the continental tournament is set to run from April 27 to May 18.

Among the notable names in the squad are Ifeanyi Harcourt, who is expected to start in goal, team captain and defender Daniel Bameyi, midfield dynamo Sulaiman Alabi, and forward Kparobo Arierhi.

The roster features a balanced mix of local talents and foreign-based players, all of whom are currently in Abuja intensifying preparations for the competition

Some of the top foreign-based players invited include: Emmanuel Chukwu, Precious Benjamin, all of German outfit TSG Hoffenheim and Kparobo Arierhi (Lillestrom SK, Norway).

The Flying Eagles, who are seven-time African champions and two-time FIFA Under-20 World Cup runners-up, will depart Nigeria on Sunday for Cairo in a bid to clinch an eighth continental title.

The team is scheduled to play a series of warm-up matches in Egypt before their group opener against Tunisia on May 1.

They will then face Morocco on May 4, followed by a clash against Kenya on May 7 to wrap up the group games.

NAN reports that the top four teams from the tournament will qualify to represent Africa at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Chile, slated for Sept. 27 to Oct. 19.

Full Squad, 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).

Others are; 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).

Others are; Sulaiman Alabi (El-Kanemi Warriors); Auwal Ibrahim (Akwa United); Shafiu Duguri (Wikki Tourists)

Forwards: Precious Benjamin (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Germany); Ezekiel Anthony Kpangu (Inspire FC); Divine Oliseh (Forster Academy); Clinton Jephta (Enyimba FC);

Others are; 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).