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FIFA U-20 World Cup: Daga, Bameyi, Suleiman headline Aliyu Zubair’s selection
Nigeria’s U20 men’s national team head coach, Aliyu Zubair, has unveiled his final 21-man squad for the upcoming FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile, with Molde FK midfielder Daniel Daga making a much-anticipated return to the global stage.
Daga, who impressed at the 2023 edition in Argentina, headlines the roster alongside team captain Daniel Bameyi, who recently secured a move to Slovenian side Primorje Ajdovščina.
First-choice goalkeeper Ifeanyi Ebenezer Harcourt also retains his place, while Clinton Ezekiel of Bayelsa United earns a first call-up to join the goalkeeping department. Among the new faces are Kparobo Arierhi (Lillestrom SK, Norway), Odinaka Okoro (Sporting Lagos), Ahmed Akinyele (Remo Stars), and Freedom Marvellous (Ikorodu City).
The squad also includes Akwa United’s lively forward Sani Suleiman, whose stellar form in the second half of the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season earned him a place in the team. He joins Charles Agada in a dynamic attacking lineup, as Zubair blends homegrown NPFL stars with Europe-based talents.
Nigeria has been drawn into Group F, where the Flying Eagles will face Norway, Saudi Arabia, and Colombia. The team will look to surpass their quarter-final finish in Argentina, as the nation continues its pursuit of a historic first U20 world title, having twice finished as runners-up in 1989 and 2005.
The tournament will be staged across Santiago, Rancagua, Valparaíso, and Talca from September 27 to October 19, 2025. Nigeria will compete as one of Africa’s four representatives, alongside South Africa, Morocco, and Egypt.
Nigeria’s 21-Man Squad for Chile 2025
Goalkeepers:
Ifeanyi Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos), Rufai Abubakar (Mavlon FC), Clinton Ezekiel (Bayelsa United)
Defenders:
Odinaka Okoro (Sporting Lagos), Daniel Bameyi (Primorje Ajdovščina, Slovenia), Freedom Marvellous (Ikorodu City), Ahmed Akinyele (Remo Stars), Azuka Alanta (Hypebuzz Academy), Amos Echoche (Stade Reims B, France)
Midfielders:
Israel Isaac Ayuma (NK Istra, Croatia), Emmanuel Ekele (PFC Montana, Bulgaria), Kamaldeen Mustapha (Kwara Football Academy), Auwal Ibrahim (Unattached), Daniel Daga (Molde FK, Norway)
Forwards:
Tahir Maigana (Wireless FC), Kparobo Nathaniel Arierhi (Lillestrom SK, Norway), Orseer Achihi (Royal Antwerp, Belgium), Sani Suleiman (AS Trencin, Slovakia), Charles Agada (NK Istra, Croatia), Nasiru Salihu (NK Gabala, Azerbaijan), Shittu Abdullahi
