U20AFCON: SJK starlet Shehu handed Flying Eagles invite

Flying Eagles head coach Aliyu Zubair has moved to fortify his team ahead of next month’s U20 Africa Cup of Nations by extending an invite to SJK of Finland star Sulaiman Shehu, www.aclsports.com reports.

Shehu has had an impressive first season in Finland after joining SJK from Nigerian academy Stars Builders Academy last year shortly after he turned 18.

His performances have now caught the eyes of Zubair who is currently preparing his side for the continental competition in the Northern Nigerian city of Katsina having resumed their final phase of camping last week Monday.

Sulaiman Shehu is an energetic central midfielder blessed with the skillset of a complete midfield player. Shehu’s vision, poise and creativity has been a valuable asset for his side Seinäjoen Jalkapallokerho (SJK) and has gradually transited from the B side to the main squad.

Shehu is currently with the rest of the SJK squad in Finland for pre-season and he will be released for the international duty with the Flying Eagles after their friendly game against Swedish top flight side Sirius in Sweden on Saturday.

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles won the 2024 WAFU B U20 Championships held in Togo to qualify for the continental championship which will be hosted by Côte d’Ivoire starting from April 26 and ending on May 18.

The four semi-finalists at the tournament will qualify to represent Africa at the 2025 World Youth Championships to be staged in Chile later in the year.