Flying Eagles head coach, Aliyu Zubairu has unveiled a 35-man provisional squad for Nigeria’s final training camp ahead of the 2025 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations, in Egypt.
The seven-time African champions have now relocated to Abuja, where the camp officially opened on Monday.
The squad is a blend of familiar faces and promising new talents, with several players retaining their spots after impressing at previous youth competitions.
Notably, 11 players who were part of the team that triumphed at the WAFU B U-20 AFCON qualifiers in Togo last year have been included.
Team captain Daniel Bamaiyi leads the returnees, which also include first-choice goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt, Adamu Maigari,, and Clinton Jephta.
Cletus Simon and striker Adeleke Abdulmuiz both of whom featured at the 2025 U-17 AFCON qualifiers have also been called up.
Meanwhile, coach Zubairu will use the camp to assess player readiness and fine-tune tactics ahead of what promises to be a challenging tournament.
Nigeria has been drawn into a tough Group A, alongside hosts Egypt, Morocco, and South Africa a draw widely regarded as the “Group of Death.”
The tournament will kick off on April 27 in Cairo, and it will serve as the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup qualifying event, with the four semifinalists booking tickets to Chile.
Full 35-Man Provisional Squad:
Goalkeepers:
Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos), Rufai Abubakar (Mavlon FC), Soliu Ajia (FK Novi Pazar)
Defenders:
Adewale Quadin (Nath Boys), Afamu Maigari (El Kanemi Warriors), Odinaka Emmanuel (Sporting Lagos), Kenneth Igbokwe (Enugu Rangers), Daniel Bamaiyi (Bayelsa United), Haruna Aliyu (Wikki Tourist), Emmanuel Chukwu (Hoffenheim), Chigozie Ihejifor (Katsina United)
Midfielders:
Caleb Ochedikwu (NK Ujanik), Michael Tunde (Simoiben), Sabiu Mohammed (Niger Tornadoes), Akin Oluwashile (Water FC), Ibrahim Alam (Real Valladolid), Israel Ayuma (NK Istra), Cletus Simon (Mavlon FC), Sulaiman Alabi ‘Jojo’ (El Kanemi Warriors), Auwal Ibrahim (Akwa United), Shafiu Duguri (Wikki Tourist), Nasiru Salihu (El Kanemi Warriors)
Forwards:
Umar Abubakar (KAA Gent B), Benjamin Precious (Hoffenheim), Anthony Ezekiel (Inspire), Otu Joseph (Moralo FC), Oliseh Divine (Fosta Academy), Adeleke Abdulmuiz (Adoration FC), Clinton Jephta (Enyimba), Bidemi Amole (Real Sapphire), Trahir Maigana (Wireless FC), Rickson Mendos (Niger Tornadoes), Mustapha Umar (Kano Pillars), Mathew Kingsley (Kings FC), Armiyu Yushua (Katsina United)
