Nigeria’s U-20 national team coach Aliyu Zubairu has unveiled his final 24-man squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Egypt, blending homegrown talent with foreign-based prospects in pursuit of an eighth continental title.
The squad announcement comes as the Flying Eagles intensify preparations in Abuja ahead of their Sunday departure for Cairo, where the tournament runs from April 27 to May 18. Goalkeeper Ifeanyi Harcourt retains his first-choice position while defender Daniel Bameyi will captain the side that includes midfield anchor Sulaiman Alabi and Norwegian-based striker Kparobo Arierhi.
Notable inclusions feature German duo Emmanuel Chukwu and Precious Benjamin from Bundesliga club TSG Hoffenheim, alongside Croatia-based midfielders Caleb Ochedikwu and Israel Ayuma. The selection reflects coach Zubairu’s strategy of combining domestic league standouts with European-trained players ahead of Nigeria’s Group B opener against Tunisia on May 1.
As seven-time African champions and two-time FIFA U-20 World Cup finalists, the Flying Eagles will complete their preparations with warm-up matches in Egypt before facing Morocco on May 4 and Kenya on May 7 in the group stage. The tournament serves as a qualifier for September’s FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, with Africa’s top four teams earning berths.
The full squad includes three goalkeepers, seven defenders, six midfielders and eight forwards drawn from clubs across Nigeria, Germany, Norway, Croatia and Serbia. Team officials confirmed all players reported to camp as scheduled, with final tactical sessions planned before departure.
Nigeria last won the U-20 AFCON in 2015 and will be seeking to reclaim continental supremacy while securing passage to the global youth championship in South America later this year.
