Nigeria U20 side, the Flying Eagles, have returned to Abuja, the nation’s capital, to intensify preparations for the U20 Africa Cup of Nations starting later this month in Egypt, www.aclsports.com reports.
The contingent, who have been in Katsina for a three-week training programme, returned to Abuja following the withdrawal of Côte d’Ivoire as hosts of the continental showpiece. CAF has since named Egypt, who were also hosts in 2023, as the new hosts of the competition.
“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. The coaches have had some useful time to work on the team, and it is now down to the final stages of preparation where the ascent will be on tactical and technical formations.
“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.
Following the side’s return to Abuja, the FIFA Goal Project training field will be used for training sessions before departing for Egypt a week from now.
Meanwhile, head Coach Aliyu Zubairu – who led the team to successfully defend its WAFU B U20 Championship gong in Togo in October last year – has invited a total of 35 players, including three goalkeepers, eight defenders, 10 midfielders and 14 forwards for the final phase of camping.
35 FLYING EAGLES FOR CAMPING IN ABUJA:
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)
