Flying Eagles receive triple foreign-based boost ahead of U20 World Cup

By Dayo Awoniyi

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have been handed a significant lift in their preparations for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, with three foreign-based prospects — Arierhi Kparabo, Israel Isaac Ayuma, and Charles Agada — linking up with the team’s camp in Abuja.

Kparabo, 18, is the most high-profile of the arrivals. The prolific forward shot to prominence at the WAFU B U-20 Championship in Côte d’Ivoire, where he emerged as top scorer and fired Nigeria to the regional crown. He also impressed at the 2024 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations in Egypt.

Now on loan at Mjøndalen IF from Norwegian outfit Lyn Oslo, Kparabo has already netted four goals in eight appearances this season — a record that makes him a key figure in coach Aliyu Zubairu’s attacking plans.

The midfield department also gains depth with the addition of Israel Ayuma, a versatile playmaker with Croatian side NK Istra 1961. A graduate of Lagos-based Mavlon FC, Ayuma is lauded for his ability to dictate tempo from deep while also carrying creative responsibility higher up the pitch. His presence is expected to bring both balance and invention to the Flying Eagles’ midfield.

Completing the trio is Ayuma’s clubmate Charles Agada, a skillful forward who offers flexibility across the front line.

Agada first turned heads at the 2023 Viareggio Cup in Italy, where he finished as top scorer with 10 goals, before adding to his reputation with a strike against South Africa at the U-17 AFCON in Algeria.

Though injury ruled him out of the 2024 WAFU B U-20 Championship, his return provides the Eagles with another potent attacking weapon.

The Flying Eagles have been drawn in Group F, where they will face Colombia, Saudi Arabia, and Norway. The tournament runs from September 27 to October 20 in Chile.

Nigeria, twice runners-up — in 1989 (Saudi Arabia) and 2005 (Netherlands) — are still chasing an elusive U-20 World Cup crown. With five FIFA U-17 World Cup titles to their name, the Flying Eagles will look to build on the nation’s rich youth football pedigree and finally break new ground on the global stage.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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