Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have finalized their 21-man squad for the upcoming FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, but the absence of several key players has impacted their preparations.
The team’s roster was announced after some international clubs declined to release their Nigerian players for the tournament, as it falls outside of FIFA’s official calendar.
German club Hoffenheim refused to release Emmanuel Chukwu and Precious Benjamin, while French side Stade Reims withheld forward Ibrahim Hafiz.
All three are considered crucial to the team’s strategy. Their absence has forced Head Coach Aliyu Zubairu to adjust his plans.
Other players who featured in the U-20 WAFU B qualifiers, such as Enyimba’s winger Clinton Jephta, Bidemi Amole, and Divine Oliseh, were also not included in the final selection.
The final squad, captained by Daniel Bameyi, includes more than ten players who have been part of recent training camps.
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Notable additions to the team are Israel Ayuma, Ebenezer Harcourt, Charles Agada, Auwal Ibrahim, Kparobo Arierhi, Tahir Maigana, and Odinaka Okoro.
Fullback Adamu Maigari, a regular for the team, will miss the tournament due to a knee injury.
The team has already departed Abuja for Chile, with Norway-based midfielder Daniel Daga expected to join them directly in the host country.
The tournament, which runs from September 27 to October 20, offers the Flying Eagles a chance to improve on their previous performance, where they were eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Argentina 2023 tournament.
Nigeria will be aiming for its first-ever FIFA U-20 World Cup title, having previously reached the finals in 1989 and 2005.
