Flying Eagles coach unveils squad for AFCON U-20
Head Coach Aliyu Zubairu has selected first-choice goalkeeper Ifeanyi Harcourt, defender and captain Daniel Bameyi, midfielder Sulaiman Alabi Jojo, and forward Kparobo Arierhi among a squad of 24 players for this year’s Africa U-20 Cup of Nations taking place in Egypt. The tournament gets underway in 10 days.
Defenders Adamu Maigari and Emmanuel Chukwu (based in Germany), midfielders Caleb Ochedikwu (based in Croatia) and Simon Cletus, as well as forwards Clinton Jephta, Divine Oliseh, and Precious Benjamin (also based in Germany) have also been included.
The seven-time African champions and two-time World Cup runners-up will depart Nigeria for Egypt on Sunday, where they are expected to play a couple of friendly matches before their opening game of the competition against Tunisia in Cairo on Thursday, 1st May.
Three days after the clash with the Tunisians, the Flying Eagles will take on Morocco (also in Cairo) before rounding off their group stage campaign against Kenya on Wednesday, 7th May. All four semi-finalists at the tournament in Egypt will qualify to represent Africa at this year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, scheduled for 27th September – 19th October.
Squad List
Goalkeepers:
Ifeanyi Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos); Rufai Abubakar (Mavlon FC); Soliu Ajia Yakub (FK Novi Pazar, Serbia)
Defenders:
Adamu Maigari (El-Kanemi Warriors); Odinaka Okoro (Sporting Lagos); Daniel Bameyi (Bayelsa United); Emmanuel Chukwu (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Germany); Chigozie Michael Ihejiofor (Katsina United)
Midfielders:
Caleb Ochedikwu (NK Uljanik Pula, Croatia); Israel Isaac Ayuma (NK Istra, Croatia); Simon Cletus (Mavlon FC); Sulaiman Alabi Jojo (El-Kanemi Warriors); Auwal Ibrahim (Akwa United); Shafiu Adamu Duguri (Wikki Tourists)
Forwards:
Precious Benjamin (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Germany); Ezekiel Anthony Kpangu (Inspire FC); Divine Oliseh (Forster Academy); Clinton Jephta (Enyimba FC); Bidemi Amole (Real Sapphire FC); Tahir Maigana (Wireless FC); Theophilus Mendos Rickson (Niger Tornadoes); Kparobo Nathaniel Arierhi (Lillestrom SK, Norway); Matthew Kingsley (Kings FC); Yushau Armiyau (Katsina United)
