Flying Eagles land in Abuja as seven foreign-based players join final AFCON U20 preparations

Seven Europe-based players have been invited to join Nigeria’s Flying Eagles for the final phase of camping ahead of this month’s Africa U20 Cup of Nations in Egypt, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed on Thursday morning that the squad now includes Serbian-based defender Soliu Ajia of FK Novi Pazar, the Hoffenheim duo of Chukwu Emmanuel and Benjamin Precious, and Caleb Ochedikwu of NK Ujanik in Croatia.

Others include Real Valladolid’s Ibrahim Alani, NK Istra’s Ayuma Isaac Israel, and KAA Gent's Umar Abubakar.

All seven are expected in Abuja, where the seven-time champions are now stationed after spending three weeks in Katsina – a state selected for its climate similarity to Cote d’Ivoire, the original host of the tournament.

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Cote d’Ivoire’s late withdrawal shocked the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and forced a rapid change of plans, with Egypt stepping in to host the competition for the second time in a row after staging the previous edition in 2023.

Nigeria will continue their final drills at the FIFA Goal Project centre in Abuja before flying out to Egypt within the next week.

Head Coach Aliyu Zubairu, who guided the Flying Eagles to retain their WAFU B title in Togo last October, has called up 35 players for this critical phase. The squad includes three goalkeepers, eight defenders, ten midfielders, and 14 forwards – a tactical spread that gives room for flexibility and firepower.

Nigeria, aiming for a record-extending eighth title, know that reaching the semi-finals in Egypt is crucial. All four last-four teams will book their place at the FIFA U20 World Cup to be held in Chile from 27 September to 18 October.

FULL LIST: 35 Flying Eagles in Abuja

Goalkeepers: Ifeanyi Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos); Rufai Abubakar (Mavlon FC); Soliu Ajia (FK Novi Pazar, Serbia)

Defenders: Adewale Quadri (Nath Boys Academy); Adamu Maigari (El-Kanemi Warriors); Odinaka Okoro Emmanuel (Sporting Lagos); Kenneth Igboke (Enugu Rangers); Daniel Bameyi (Bayelsa United); Haruna Aliyu (Wikki Tourists); Chukwu Emmanuel (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Germany); Chigozie Michael Ihejiofor (Katsina United)

Midfielders: Caleb Ochedikwu (NK Ujanik, Croatia); Michael Tunde (Simon Ben FC); Sabiu Mohammed (Niger Tornadoes); Akinniran Oluwashile (Water FC); Ibrahim Alani (Real Valladolid, Spain); Ayuma Isaac Israel (NK Istra, Croatia); Cletus Simon (Mavlon FC); Sulaiman Alabi Jojo (El-Kanemi Warriors); Auwal Ibrahim (Akwa United); Shafiu Adamu Duguri (Wikki Tourists)

Forwards: Umar Abubakar (KAA Gent, Belgium); Anthony Ezekiel (Inspire FC); Otu Joseph (Mavlon FC); Nasiru Salihu (El-Kanemi Warriors); Divine Oliseh (Forster Academy); Adeleke Abdulmuiz (Adoration FC); Clinton Jephta (Enyimba FC); Bidemi Amole (Real Sapphire FC); Tahir Maigana (Wireless FC); Rickson Mendos (Niger Tornadoes); Mustapha Umar (Kano Pillars); Kingsley Matthew (Kings FC); Armiyau Yusha’u (Katsina United); Benjamin Precious (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Germany)