The Nigerian Flying Eagles have arrived in South America, gearing up for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, according to Soccernet.ng.
Under the guidance of coach Aliyu Zubairu, the team is set to engage in two preparatory friendlies as they finalize their readiness for the upcoming tournament.
The Flying Eagles, seven-time African champions, will first face the host nation Chile on Saturday, September 20, followed by a clash with Australia on Tuesday, September 23.
Ahead of their group stage matches, the team will contest two warm-up games.
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September 20, 2025
Chile 🇨🇱 vs Nigeria 🇳🇬
September 23, 2025
Nigeria 🇳🇬 vs Australia 🇦🇺– The NFF (@thenff) September 15, 2025
The squad touched down in Santiago on Sunday after a brief transit through Istanbul, embarking on a 12-day training camp that marks the final stage of their tournament preparations before the kickoff on September 27.
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Drawn into a challenging Group F, Nigeria will open their World Cup journey against Norway on September 29 in Talca, followed by matches against Saudi Arabia on October 2 and Colombia on October 5.
Coach Zubairu has assembled a 21-player roster blending domestic talents with promising European-based players.
Leading the squad is captain Daniel Bameyi, who recently transferred from Bayelsa United to Slovenian club Primorje Ajdovščina. He is supported by midfielder Daniel Daga of Molde FK, who impressed during the previous U-20 World Cup in Argentina.
Adding international experience are Manchester City’s Abdullahi Shitu Ele and Stade Reims defender Ocheche Amos Onyejefu, while Croatian-based players Charles Agaba and Israel Ayuma further strengthen the squad’s overseas contingent.
From the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL), defenders Ahmed Akinyele of Remo Stars and Odinaka Okoro of Sporting Lagos have earned call-ups following standout seasons. Akwa United’s Sani Suleiman and Ikorodu City’s Freedom Marvellous also join the squad.
Leading the frontline is Lillestrom striker Kparobo Arierhi, with support from Tahir Maigana and Royal Antwerp’s Achichi Oseer.
Goalkeeper Ifeanyi Harcourt, who recently debuted for the senior Super Eagles at the African Nations Championship, is also included in the squad.
However, assembling the team has not been without difficulties. Since the U-20 World Cup is not part of FIFA’s official calendar, several European clubs declined to release their players.
Notably, Hoffenheim’s Emmanuel Chukwu and Precious Benjamin, along with Reims forward Ibrahim Hafiz, were unavailable, prompting Zubairu to adjust his lineup. Injuries have also impacted the squad, with full-back Adamu Maigari sidelined due to a knee injury.
Both Chukwu and Maigari were integral to the Flying Eagles’ bronze medal finish at the U-20 AFCON earlier this year.
Despite these setbacks, Zubairu remains optimistic and focused on the team’s goals.
“Our main aim is to advance beyond the group stage. Achieving this will build momentum and boost our confidence to challenge further in the tournament,” Zubairu stated prior to departure.
The Flying Eagles have a storied history at the U-20 World Cup, having reached the finals twice-in 1989 and 2005-yet they are still in pursuit of their maiden global title.
In the chile-camp/” title=”U20 World Cup: … Gear Up for Intense 12…Day Training Camp in …!”>previous tournament held in Argentina, Nigeria advanced to the quarter-finals before being eliminated by South Korea. This year, the squad aims to surpass that achievement and contend seriously for the championship.
The Chilean-hosted tournament will commence on September 27, culminating with the final on October 19.
COMPLETE ROSTER: NIGERIA FLYING EAGLES FOR U-20 WORLD CUP
Goalkeepers: Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos); Clinton Ezekiel (Bayelsa United); Rufa’i Abubakar (Mavlon FC)
Defenders: Ocheche Amos Onyejefu (Stade de Reims, France); Odinaka Okoro (Sporting Lagos); Daniel Bameyi (Bayelsa United); Marvelous Avberosou (Ikorodu City); Alatan Azuka (36 Lions); Akinyele Ahmed Olamide (Remo Stars)
Midfielders: Israel Ayuma (NK Istra, Croatia); Emmanuel Ekowoicho (FC Montana, Bulgaria); Mustapha Kamaldeen (Kwara Football Academy); Daniel Daga (Molde FK, Norway); Auwal Ibrahim (Akwa United); Nasiru Salihu (Qabala FC, Azerbaijan)
Forwards: Achichi Oseer (Royal Antwerp FC, Belgium); Sani Suleman (AS Trencin, Slovakia); Tahir Maigana (Wireless FC); Kparobo Arierhi (Lillestrom SK, Norway); Charles Agaba (NK Istra, Croatia); Abdullahi Shitu Ele (Manchester City FC, England)
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