Nigeria’s U20 national team, the Flying Eagles, have begun training sessions in Accra, Ghana ahead of the 2024 WAFU B U20 Boys Tournament, as they aim to extend their regional dominance in West Africa.
Originally planned as an expanded competition involving both WAFU A and B nations, organizers have reverted to the WAFU B-only format, with the tournament now scheduled to hold from 10th to 23rd July in the Ghanaian capital.
Flying Eagles Ready to Defend Title
Head coach Aliyu Zubairu has named a 20-man squad, including several key players from the team that clinched bronze at the 2023 U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, securing Nigeria a ticket to the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile later this year.
Among the retained names are:
- Goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos)
- Defender Odinaka Okoro
- Midfielders Bidemi Amole, Ezekiel Kpangu, Divine Oliseh, and Tahir Maigana
Zubairu has also introduced several exciting new prospects to bolster the squad’s depth and competitiveness, such as:
- Goalkeeper Clinton Andy (Bayelsa United)
- Defenders Abba Khalid Sadiq and Marvelous Freedom
- Midfielder Abduljelil Kamaldeen
- Forwards Imrana Muhammad and Qudus Olayiwola
Fixture Schedule – Group A
Nigeria, who are defending champions having won the last two editions hosted by Niger Republic and Togo, are in Group A alongside hosts Ghana and Benin Republic.
Thursday, 10th July: Nigeria vs Ghana
Sunday, 13th July: Nigeria vs Benin
Group B features Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Niger Republic, and Togo, with the Ivorians set to face the Burkinabes in the opening match of the group on Thursday.
Nigeria’s Squad List – WAFU B U20 Tournament
Goalkeepers
- Ifeanyi Ebenezer Harcourt – Sporting Lagos
- Clinton Andy – Bayelsa United
Defenders
- Abba Khalid Sadiq – Niger Tornadoes
- Odinaka Okoro – Sporting Lagos
- Daniel Bameyi (Captain) – Bayelsa United
- Akinniran Oluwashile – Water FC
- Ahmed Akinyele – Remo Stars
- Marvelous Freedom – Ikorodu City
Midfielders
- Divine Oliseh – Forster Academy
- Bidemi Amole – Real Sapphire FC
- Tahir Maigana – Wireless FC
- Ezekiel Kpangu – Inspire Academy
- Rawa Mohammed – Beyond Limits
- Matthew Kingsley – Kings FC
- Abduljelil Kamaldeen – Kwara Football Academy
- Shafiu Adamu Duguri – Wikki Tourists
Forwards
- Abdullahi Muhammed – Kwara United
- Godday Otalyul-Imbus – Calabar Rovers
- Imrana Muhammad – Mavlon FC
- Qudus Olayiwola – P Sport FC
The Flying Eagles aim to retain their crown, then head to the FIFA U20 World Cup later this year in Chile.
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