The Nigeria U-20 men’s football team, the Flying Eagles, are in the final stages of their preparation for the 2024 WAFU Zone B U-20 Championship, which is set to kick off today in Lome, Togo.
After arriving in the Togolese capital on Tuesday, the team wasted no time in getting acclimated, holding their first training session on Wednesday morning at the Omnisport Mini Stadium.
The session, which lasted an hour and a half, saw all 20 players actively participating.
Speaking on the team’s progress, media officer Sharif Abdallah provided an update, noting that the players are in top condition ahead of their opening match.
“No injury concern as all the players have been declared fit by the medical team. The team will embark on one more training session on Thursday morning,” Abdallah shared during an interview with The PUNCH.
The second training session is scheduled for today, Thursday, giving the squad one final tune-up before they face Burkina Faso in their first group game on Friday.
Earlier this week, on Tuesday, Head Coach, Aliyu Zubair unveiled the 20-man squad that will represent Nigeria in the championship, which also serves as a qualification route for the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations.
This tournament holds significant importance for the Flying Eagles as they aim to defend their title, having won the previous edition held in Niamey, Niger Republic.
In addition to the intense one-week final camp at the Remo Stars Training Complex in Ikenne, Ogun State, the team received a morale boost from the club’s president and academy proprietor, Hon. Kunle Soname.
Soname pledged a N5 million reward for the team if they successfully defend their title and bring the trophy back to Nigeria. Furthermore, he gave the players N1 million before their departure on Monday, in a gesture of support to energize their championship journey.
The Flying Eagles’ campaign in Group B will begin with the crucial fixture against Burkina Faso on Friday, followed by a match against Côte d’Ivoire. With only three teams in the group, the top two will advance to the semi-finals, increasing the pressure on every match.
The Flying Eagles’ 20-man squad features a blend of young talents from across Nigerian clubs and some overseas prospects.
Goalkeepers include Ifeanyi Harcourt from Sporting Lagos and Nasarawa United’s Nathaniel Nwosu.
In defense, the team is bolstered by players such as Adamu Maigari, El-Kanemi Warriors, and Daniel Bameyi, Bayelsa United.
The midfield boasts the presence of Raphael Oyebanjo from Shuffle Select FC and Croatia-based Isaac Ayuma (NK Istra). Leading the attacking line are forwards like Divine Oliseh of Forster FC and Clinton Jephta from Enyimba FC.
As the Flying Eagles brace for their opening match, they carry the hopes of defending their regional crown while aiming for a successful qualification campaign to the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations.
Flying Eagles full squad:
Goalkeepers: Ifeanyi Harcourt, Sporting Lagos; Nathaniel Nwosu, Nasarawa United
Defenders: Adamu Maigari, El-Kanemi Warriors; Daniel Bameyi, Bayelsa United; Kenneth Igboke, Enugu Rangers; Haruna Aliyu, Doma United; Musa Ademu, Wireless FC; Olalekan Alabi, El-Kanemi Warriors.
Midfielders: Raphael Oyebanjo, Shuffle Select FC; Muhammad Ibrahim, Niger Tornadoes; Oluwaseyi Akinfenwa, Real Sapphire FC; Ibrahim Abdullahi, Bayelsa United); Isaac Ayuma, NK Istra, Croatia; Nasiru Salihu, El-Kanemi Warriors.
Forwards: Divine Oliseh, Forster FC; Charles Agada, Mavlon FC; Kparobo Arierhi, Beyond Limits FC; Olalekan Amole, Real Sapphire FC; Olalekan Ibrahim, Central Academy; Clinton Jephta, Enyimba FC.
