Nigeria’s Flying Eagles, seven-time winners, have returned to Abuja, the Federal Capital, as they get ready for the 24th Africa U20 Cup of Nations, which will begin later this month in Egypt.
After completing a three-week training program in Katsina, where they camped to experience the weather, the delegation returned to Abuja.
They discovered that the weather was identical to that of Cote d’Ivoire, which was first chosen to host the tournament.
Egypt, the host of the previous edition in 2023, took over as host after Cote d’Ivoire abruptly withdrew as the host nation, much to the dismay of the Confederation of African Football and the participating nations.
“We are grateful to His Excellency, Governor Umaru Dikko Radda for hosting the team for three weeks in Katsina and making sure players and officials trained and camped in a conducive environment.
“It is now time for the last stages of preparation, where the concentration will be on tactical and technical formations, after the coaches have had some valuable time to work with the team.
“At the moment, due to the change of host nation, and the difference in weather conditions between Cote d’Ivoire and Egypt, we are looking at the team leaving Nigeria early to spend about 10 days in Egypt before the commencement of the tournament,” NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, said on Wednesday.
Before leaving for Egypt within the next week, the team will train on the FIFA Goal Project training pitch.
A total of 35 players, including three goalkeepers, eight defenders, ten midfielders, and fourteen attackers, have been invited by head coach Aliyu Zubairu, who guided the squad to successfully defend its WAFU B U20 Championship title in Togo in October of last year, for the camping trip in Abuja.
All four of Egypt’s semi-finalists will be eligible to play for Africa in the FIFA U20 World Cup finals this year, which will take place in Chile from September 27 to October 18.
Full Squad
Goalkeepers:
Ifeanyi Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos); Rufai Abubakar (Mavlon FC); Soliu Ajia (FK Novi Pazar, Serbia)
Defenders:
Adewale Quadri (Nath Boys Academy); Adamu Maigari (El-Kanemi Warriors); Odinaka Okoro Emmanuel (Sporting Lagos); Kenneth Igboke (Enugu Rangers); Daniel Bameyi (Bayelsa United); Haruna Aliyu (Wikki Tourists); Chukwu Emmanuel (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Germany); Chigozie Michael Ihejiofor (Katsina United)
Midfielders:
Caleb Ochedikwu (NK Ujanik, Croatia); Michael Tunde (Simon Ben FC); Sabiu Mohammed (Niger Tornadoes); Akinniran Oluwashile (Water FC); Ibrahim Alani (Real Valladolid, Spain); Ayuma Isaac Israel (NK Istra, Croatia); Cletus Simon (Mavlon FC); Sulaiman Alabi Jojo (El-Kanemi Warriors); Auwal Ibrahim (Akwa United); Shafiu Adamu Duguri (Wikki Tourists)
Forwards:
Umar Abubakar (KAA Gent, Belgium); Anthony Ezekiel (Inspire FC); Otu Joseph (Mavlon FC); Nasiru Salihu (El-Kanemi Warriors); Divine Oliseh (Forster Academy); Adeleke Abdulmuiz (Adoration FC); Clinton Jephta (Enyimba FC); Bidemi Amole (Real Sapphire FC); Tahir Maigana (Wireless FC); Rickson Mendos (Niger Tornadoes); Mustapha Umar (Kano Pillars); Kingsley Matthew (Kings FC); Armiyau Yusha’u (Katsina United); Benjamin Precious (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Germany).