Nigeria’s Flying Eagles arrive in Ghana as WAFU B U20 tournament kicks off

Nigeria’s U20 national team, the Flying Eagles, have landed in Accra ahead of the 2024 WAFU B U20 Boys Championship, set to begin on Thursday, July 10, Soccernet.ng reports.

The two-time defending champions are looking to secure a third consecutive title as they open their campaign against fierce rivals and hosts, Ghana.

Head coach Aliyu Zubairu has assembled a 20-man squad that blends experienced names with exciting new talents.

The team includes several standout players from the squad that claimed bronze at the Africa U20 Cup of Nations earlier this year in Egypt — earning a spot at the upcoming FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile.

Among the returnees are captain Daniel Bameyi, goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt, and the midfield trio of Divine Oliseh, Ezekiel Kpangu, and Tahir Maigana. Defensive stalwart Odinaka Okoro and creative midfielder Bidemi Amole also return to bolster the team’s core.

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Fresh faces have also been added to the mix, with Bayelsa United’s Clinton Andy expected to provide goalkeeping competition. Defensive duo Abba Sadiq and Marvelous Freedom, as well as midfield dynamo Abduljelil Kamaldeen and forward pair Imrana Muhammad and Qudus Olayiwola, will be aiming to impress in their first major outing.

Originally intended to include nations from both WAFU Zones A and B, the tournament has reverted to a WAFU B-only format, running from July 10 to 23 in Ghana’s capital.

The Flying Eagles headline Group A alongside hosts Ghana and Benin Republic. Nigeria will kick off the tournament at the Prampram Centre in Accra on July 10 at 3pm against Ghana, before facing Benin Republic on July 13.

Group B consists of Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Niger Republic and Togo, with the Ivorians taking on Burkina Faso in the group’s opening fixture.

With a winning pedigree and a balanced squad, Nigeria’s Flying Eagles will be eyeing another dominant campaign, starting with a statement performance in Thursday’s high-stakes opener against the Black Satellites.

FULL LIST: NIGERIA FLYING EAGLES 20-MAN SQUAD FOR WAFU B U20 TOURNAMENT:

Goalkeepers: Ifeanyi Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos); Clinton Andy (Bayelsa United)

Defenders: Abba Khalid Sadiq (Niger Tornadoes); Odinaka Okoro (Sporting Lagos); Daniel Bameyi (Bayelsa United); Akinniran Oluwashile (Water FC); Ahmed Akinyele (Remo Stars); Marvelous Freedom (Ikorodu City)

Midfielders: Divine Oliseh (Forster Academy); Bidemi Amole (Real Sapphire FC); Tahir Maigana (Wireless FC); Ezekiel Kpangu (Inspire Academy); Rawa Mohammed (Beyond Limits); Matthew Kingsley (Kings FC); Abduljelil Kamaldeen (Kwara Football Academy); Shafiu Adamu Duguri (Wikki Tourists)

Forwards: Abdullahi Muhammed (Kwara United); Godday Otalyul-Imbus (Calabar Rovers); Imrana Muhammad (Mavlon FC); Qudus Olayiwola (P Sport FC)