Flying Eagles head coach, Aliyu Zubairu, has unveiled a 35-man provisional squad for Nigeria’s final training camp ahead of the 2025 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations in Egypt. The squad is a mix of experienced players and exciting new talents, as Zubairu prepares for the crucial tournament. The camp officially opened in Abuja on Monday, as the Flying Eagles gear up for the competition.

The team includes 11 players who were part of the squad that triumphed at the WAFU B U-20 AFCON qualifiers in Togo last year. Among the returnees is team captain Daniel Bamaiyi, who will lead the Flying Eagles once again. First-choice goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt, along with Adamu Maigari and Clinton Jephta, also make a return. Notably, Cletus Simon and striker Adeleke Abdulmuiz, who featured at the 2025 U-17 AFCON qualifiers, have been included in the squad as well.

Coach Zubairu has emphasized that the camp will be used to assess player readiness and fine-tune the team’s tactics ahead of the tough tournament. Nigeria is drawn into a difficult Group A, alongside hosts Egypt, Morocco, and South Africa, a group widely regarded as the “Group of Death.” The tournament will kick off on April 27 in Cairo, and it also serves as the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup qualifying event, with the four semifinalists securing their spots in Chile.

Nigeria U20 MNT in training during the WAFU B U20 Championship. Photo | X  

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Full 35-Man Provisional Squad:

Goalkeepers:

Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos), Rufai Abubakar (Mavlon FC), Soliu Ajia (FK Novi Pazar)

Defenders:

Adewale Quadin (Nath Boys), Afamu Maigari (El Kanemi Warriors), Odinaka Emmanuel (Sporting Lagos), Kenneth Igbokwe (Enugu Rangers), Daniel Bamaiyi (Bayelsa United), Haruna Aliyu (Wikki Tourist), Emmanuel Chukwu (Hoffenheim), Chigozie Ihejifor (Katsina United)

Midfielders:

Caleb Ochedikwu (NK Ujanik), Michael Tunde (Simoiben), Sabiu Mohammed (Niger Tornadoes), Akin Oluwashile (Water FC), Ibrahim Alam (Real Valladolid), Israel Ayuma (NK Istra), Cletus Simon (Mavlon FC), Sulaiman Alabi ‘Jojo’ (El Kanemi Warriors), Auwal Ibrahim (Akwa United), Shafiu Duguri (Wikki Tourist), Nasiru Salihu (El Kanemi Warriors)

Forwards:

Umar Abubakar (KAA Gent B), Benjamin Precious (Hoffenheim), Anthony Ezekiel (Inspire), Otu Joseph (Moralo FC), Oliseh Divine (Fosta Academy), Adeleke Abdulmuiz (Adoration FC), Clinton Jephta (Enyimba), Bidemi Amole (Real Sapphire), Trahir Maigana (Wireless FC), Rickson Mendos (Niger Tornadoes), Mustapha Umar (Kano Pillars), Mathew Kingsley (Kings FC), Armiyu Yushua (Katsina United)