Flying Eagles final squad announced amid player release drama
By Tosin Omojola –
Nigeria’s U-20 national team, the Flying Eagles, will face the upcoming FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile without some key players. The Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) request for player releases was denied by their foreign clubs, forcing last-minute changes to the squad.
French Ligue 1 side Stade Reims and German Bundesliga club Hoffenheim refused to release Nigerian stars for the tournament. As a result, Emmanuel Chukwu and Precious Benjamin, who featured at the 2023 U-20 AFCON in Egypt, will miss the World Cup due to Hoffenheim’s refusal. Stade Reims’ denial also sidelines striker Ibrahim Hafiz.
Head coach Aliyu Zubairu has since adjusted the roster, naming a 21-man squad that includes several new faces while dropping some previously regular players.
Notable omissions include Enyimba winger Clinton Jephta, along with Bidemi Amole and Divine Oliseh, all of whom were part of the U-20 WAFU B qualifiers in Togo last year.
Leading the squad is team captain Daniel Bameyi, alongside over ten players who have been consistent participants in recent training camps and tune-up matches.
Key additions to the final roster include Israel Ayuma, Ebenezer Harcourt, Charles Agada, Auwal Ibrahim, Kparobo Arierhi, Tahir Maigana, and Odinaka Okoro.
The 20-man squad departed Abuja on Sunday night. Norway-based midfielder Daniel Daga is set to join the team directly in Chile, completing the final roster.
