Coach Aliyu Zubairu is banking on the numbers and quality in midfield for the Flying Eagles to play an expansive passing game to fly high at the WAFU B U20 AFCON qualifying tournament in Togo, which begins Thursday.
Zubairu has named seven midfielders on his final 20-man squad with two from his NPFL club El Kanemi Warriors – Nasiru Salihu and Suleyman Alabi.
The Flying Eagles coach led El Kanemi to not only outscore Abia Warriors in the President Federation Cup final, but outclassed them with their passing game.
Last-minute addition to the engine-room is Muhammad Sabiu Ibrahim from Niger Tornadoes, who has replaced Daniel Daga, whose international passport issue has not been resolved.
This season, the former Mailantarki star scored on his NPFL debut against Kwara United in Ilorin.
Central midfielder Israel Ayuma, who already plies his trade in Croatia, is tall and well-built to do battle in what will most likely be a physically demanding competition.
Defensive midfielder Ibrahim Abdullahi is one of three players from the Flying Eagles Class of 2023, while Oliseh Divine is an exciting attacking midfielder, who is comfortable on the ball and has an eye for goal.
The Full Squad:
Goalkeeper: Nathaniel Nwosu (Nasarawa United), Harcourt Ebenezer (Sporting Lagos)
Defenders: Adamu Maigari (El Kanemi) Daniel Bamayi (Bayelsa United), Musa Adamu (Wireless), Haruna Aliyu (Doma United), Kenneth Igboke (Enugu Rangers)
Midfielders: Raphael Oyebanjo (Shuffle), Nasiru Salihu (El Kanemi), Muhammad Sabiu Ibrahim (Niger Tornadoes), Oliseh Divine (Academy), Israel Ayuma (NK Istra/Croatia), Ibrahim Abdullahi (Bayelsa United), Suleyman Alabi (El Kanemi)
Forwards: Alonge Ibrahim (Academy), Kparabo Arieri (Beyond Limits), Clinton Jephta (Enyimba), Charles Agada (QPR/England), Bidemi Amole, Musa Akinfenwa (Real Sapphire)
Super Eagles winger Moses Simon decides on futureSuper Eagles winger Moses Simon is set to take a major decision on his career in June, when he would have got his French passport. Sources close to the FC Nantes star told SCORENigeria that several Ligue 1 clubs including Olympique Marseille, Lyon and Lille are interested in signing him. He also has some “interesting” ...
Read more Continue reading here ▶ Omeruo Battle Cry: Super Eagles must be at the World CupExperienced defender Kenneth Omeruo has declared that the Super Eagles must do everything possible to qualify for next year’s World Cup after a faltering start in the qualifying series. “We have to be at the World Cup,” he declared. “That’s the dream of every football player. “It won’t be easy, but I believe the team ...
Read more Continue reading here ▶ Super Eagles new boy Igho Ogbu reveals he rejected NorwaySuper Eagles fresh call-up Igho Ogbu has opened up that he rejected an approach to play for Norway in his last season with Lillestrom. Ogbu, 25, was outstanding for Lillestrom in the 2022 season that he became the record outgoing transfer to Slavia Praha in January 2023 for a fee of 2.5 Million Euros. “There ...
Read more Continue reading here ▶ SCORENigeria Top 5: Hat-trick hero Osimhen leads Super Eagles new and old boys to the topVictor Osimhen was the headline act as Super Eagles new boys Igho Ogbu and Tolu Arokodare shone for their clubs leading up to Friday’s must-win 2026 World Cup qualifier against Rwanda in Kigali. 5.Igho Ogbu How do you celebrate your call-up to the Super Eagles? For big defender Igho Ogbu, it is to score a ...
Read more Continue reading here ▶ Osimhen lands in Rwanda for must-win 2026 World Cup qualifierVictor Osimhen has led by example by being among the first arrivals in Rwanda for the Super Eagles must-win 2026 World Cup qualifier Friday. Osimhen has revealed that new coach Eric Chelle challenged the leaders in the team to lead the way for Nigeria to get their World Cup qualifying campaign back on track after ...
Read more Continue reading here ▶