Aliyu Zubairu announces 24 player roster for U-20 AFCON

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Aliyu Zubairu has announced his selection of 24 players for the upcoming Africa U20 Cup of Nations, which will be held in Egypt. Among the chosen players are first-choice goalkeeper Ifeanyi Harcourt, team captain and defender Daniel Bameyi, midfielder Sulaiman Alabi Jojo, and forward Kparobo Arierhi. The tournament is set to commence in 10 days.

Included in the squad are defenders Adamu Maigari and Emmanuel Chukwu, who play in Germany, as well as midfielders Caleb Ochedikwu from Croatia and Simon Cletus, along with forwards Clinton Jephta, Divine Oliseh, and Precious Benjamin, also based in Germany.

The seven-time African champions and two-time World Cup runners-up will leave Nigeria for Egypt on Sunday. They are scheduled to engage in several friendly matches prior to their opening game against Tunisia in Cairo on Thursday, May 1st.

Following their match with Tunisia, the Flying Eagles will face Morocco in Cairo three days later, and will conclude their group stage matches against Kenya on Wednesday, May 7th. The top four teams from this tournament will represent Africa at the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile, taking place from September 27 to October 19.

The 24 players selected for the Flying Eagles are as follows:

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); Kpaboro Nathaniel Arierhi (Lillestrom SK, Norway); Matthew Kingsley (Kinds FC); Yushau Armiyau (Katsina United)