Flying Eagles Set for WAFU B U20 Showdown in Accra
Nigeria’s U20 men’s football team, the Flying Eagles, have begun preparations in Accra ahead of the 2025 WAFU B U20 Boys Tournament, scheduled to hold from July 10 to 23 at the Prampram Centre in the Ghanaian capital.
Head Coach Aliyu Zubairu has named a 20-man squad led by captain Daniel Bameyi. The team includes a mix of experienced players and fresh faces, with several members drawn from the squad that secured a third-place finish at the Africa U20 Cup of Nations in Egypt two months ago. That performance earned Nigeria a ticket to the FIFA U20 World Cup set for later this year in Chile.
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Among the returning stars are goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt, defender Odinaka Okoro, and midfielders Bidemi Amole, Ezekiel Kpangu, Divine Oliseh, and Tahir Maigana. The squad also features new additions such as Clinton Andy of Bayelsa United, defenders Abba Sadiq and Marvellous Freedom, midfielder Abduljelil Kamaldeen, and attackers Imrana Muhammad and Qudus Olayiwola.
Nigeria will open its campaign against host nation Ghana in Group A on Thursday, July 10 at 3:00 p.m. Their second group match comes against Benin Republic on Sunday, July 13. Group A consists of three teams, while Group B features Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Niger Republic, and Togo, with the Ivorians and Burkinabes facing off in the group’s first game.
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The Flying Eagles head into the tournament as defending champions, having claimed back-to-back titles in the last two editions hosted by Niger Republic and Togo, respectively.
With a blend of experience and emerging talent, the team will be aiming for another strong showing as they prepare for the global stage later this year.