Manchester City, Reims, Antwerp talents make Flying Eagles final squad for U20 World Cup

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have confirmed their 21-man squad for the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile, with a strong blend of homegrown talent and Europe-based prospects, Soccernet.ng reports.

Head coach Aliyu Zubairu has handed recalls to some familiar names, including Molde FK midfielder Daniel Daga, who starred in Argentina two years ago. The 18-year-old, once of Enyimba, links up with captain Daniel Bameyi, fresh from sealing a move to Slovenian side Primorje Ajdovščina from Bayelsa United.

Manchester City’s highly rated forward Abdullahi Shitu Ele also makes the cut, alongside Stade de Reims defender Ocheche Amos Onyejefu and Croatia-based pair Charles Agaba and Israel Ayuma from NK Istra.

Norway’s Lillestrom striker Kparobo Arierhi adds more European flavour to Zubairu’s forward options.

On the domestic front, Remo Stars’ commanding defender Ahmed Akinyele and Sporting Lagos full-back Odinaka Okoro both earn call-ups after standout campaigns.

Sani Suleiman, who impressed with Akwa United but now on the payroll of Slovakia's AS Trencin, and Ikorodu City’s lively forward Freedom Marvellous also make the squad.

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Between the posts, first-choice keeper Ifeanyi Harcourt is joined by Bayelsa United’s Clinton Ezekiel, while striker Charles Agada and Achichi Oseer of Royal Antwerp FC in Belgium, complete the attacking cast.

Nigeria, seven-time African champions, will compete in Group F against Norway (29 September), Saudi Arabia (2 October), and Colombia (5 October), with all games staged at the Estadio Fiscal in Talca, 250km from Santiago.

The team departed Abuja on Sunday evening, flying Turkish Airlines via Istanbul before heading to Santiago for a 12-day camp ahead of kick-off. Midfielder Daga will link up directly from Norway.

This year’s tournament, running from 27 September to 19 October, will be staged across Santiago, Rancagua, Valparaíso, and Talca. Nigeria are one of four African representatives, alongside South Africa, Morocco, and Egypt.

The Flying Eagles have reached the final twice, in 1989 and 2005, and were narrowly beaten in extra time by South Korea in the semi-finals of the last edition in Argentina. With a new generation led by Daga, Bameyi, and Ele, Zubair’s men will be aiming to go one step further in Chile.

FULL LIST: FLYING EAGLES 

Goalkeepers: Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos); Clinton Ezekiel (Bayelsa United); Rufa’i Abubakar (Mavlon FC)

Defenders: Ocheche Amos Onyejefu (Stade de Reims, France); Odinaka Okoro (Sporting Lagos); Daniel Bameyi (Bayelsa United); Marvelous Avberosou (Ikorodu City); Alatan Azuka (36 Lions); Akinyele Ahmed Olamide (Remo Stars)

Midfielders: Israel Ayuma (NK Istra, Croatia); Emmanuel Ekowoicho (FC Montana, Bulgaria); Mustapha Kamaldeen (Kwara Football Academy); Daniel Daga (Molde FC, Norway); Auwal Ibrahim (Akwa United); Nasiru Salihu (Qabala FC, Azerbaijan)

Forwards: Achichi Oseer (Royal Antwerp FC, Belgium); Sani Suleman (AS Trencin, Slovakia); Tahir Maigana (Wireless FC); Kparobo Arierhi (Lillestrom SK, Norway); Charles Agaba (NK Istra, Croatia); Abdullahi Shitu Ele (Manchester City FC, England)