Nigeria: Flying Eagles to face Chile and Australia as top stars miss out on U-20 World Cup

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have landed in South America as their countdown to the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile gathers pace, Soccernet.ng reports.

Aliyu Zubairu’s squad will tune up with two friendlies as they put finishing touches on preparations for the tournament.

The former African champions will first square up against tournament hosts Chile on Saturday, September 20, before locking horns with Australia next Tuesday (September 23).

The team will play two friendly games before they start their group stage fixtures.
—————————-
September 20, 2025
Chile ️ Nigeria

September 23, 2025
Nigeria ️ Australia

— The NFF (@thenff) September 15, 2025

The seven-time African champions touched down in Santiago on Sunday after a brief stopover in Istanbul.

Their 12-day camp will serve as the final phase of preparations before the competition officially kicks off on September 27.

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Nigeria, drawn into a tough Group F, open their campaign against Norway on September 29 in Talca, before meetings with Saudi Arabia on October 2 and Colombia on October 5.

Zubairu has named a 21-man squad mixing homegrown standouts with European-based prospects.

Captain Daniel Bameyi, who recently joined Slovenian side Primorje Ajdovščina from Bayelsa United, anchors the side alongside Molde FK midfielder Daniel Daga, one of the revelations of the last U-20 World Cup in Argentina.

Manchester City’s Abdullahi Shitu Ele and Stade Reims defender Ocheche Amos Onyejefu add top-level pedigree, while Croatia-based pair Charles Agaba and Israel Ayuma further highlight the team’s depth abroad.

From the NPFL, Remo Stars defender Ahmed Akinyele and Sporting Lagos full-back Odinaka Okoro have been rewarded for impressive seasons, while Akwa United’s Sani Suleiman and Ikorodu City’s Freedom Marvellous also earned call-ups.

Lillestrom striker Kparobo Arierhi leads the attack, supported by Tahir Maigana, and Royal Antwerp's Achichi Oseer.

Record-making goalkeeper Ifeanyi Harcourt, who made his Super Eagles debut at the African Nations Championship, is also in the squad.

However, the squad has not been assembled without setbacks. With the U-20 World Cup outside FIFA’s official calendar, several European clubs declined to release players.

Hoffenheim’s Emmanuel Chukwu and Precious Benjamin, along with Reims forward Ibrahim Hafiz, were all ruled out, forcing Zubairu to reshuffle.

Injuries have also taken a toll, with full-back Adamu Maigari sidelined by a knee problem.

Chukwu and Maigari were key members of the Flying Eagles squad that won bronze medal at the U20 AFCON earlier this year.

Despite the challenges, Zubairu insists the team is focused on its objectives.

“Our priority is to get out of the group stage. That will give us momentum and confidence to push deeper into the competition,” Zubairu said before departure.

The Flying Eagles boast a rich pedigree at U-20 level, having reached the final twice in 1989 and 2005 but are still chasing their first global crown.

At the last edition in Argentina, they reached the quarter-finals before bowing out to Korea Republic. This time, the target is to progress further and mount a genuine title bid.

The tournament in Chile will kick off on September 27 with the final scheduled for October 19.

FULL LIST: FLYING EAGLES SQUAD FOR U20 WORLD CUP

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)