Coach Aliyu Zubair leads Flying Eagles to 24th FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile
Head Coach Aliyu Zubair of Nigeria’s Flying Eagles on Sunday led the team out of the Country ahead of the 24th FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile.
The team departed from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Sunday evening, aboard a Turkish Airline flight to Istanbul, where the contingent will connect to Santiago – venue for their 12-day final phase camping in the South American nation.
The team, under the watchful eyes of Coach Zubair had training sessions in Abuja for some weeks, before Sunday’s departure.
It would be recalled that Coach Zubair who was appointed last year September qualified the team for the World Cup during the U20 AFCON in Egypt in May.
The gaffer who was spotlighted at the AFCON for his coaching prowess would later guide the Nigerian team to a third place finish at the tournament, capping the outing with a bronze medal.
Zubair who had earlier qualified the team for AFCON after leading them to win the WAFU-B U20 Championship last year October in Togo recently led the Flying Eagles to finish as runners-up in the WAFU-B U20 Boys Cup in Ghana in July.
Now faced with another task on the world stage,many have expressed optimism in the Coach Zubair-led team to surpass Nigeria part record at the U20 World Cup.
Seven-time African champions Nigeria will play all their Group F matches at the Estadio Fiscal in Talca, a city 250 kilometres from the Chilean capital, Santiago. They will first confront Norway on Monday, 29th September, before clashes with Saudi Arabia (2nd October) and Colombia (5th October).
The contingent comprises of 20 players and 11 officials with midfielder Daniel Daga expected to join the team in Chile from his base in Norway.
The 24th FIFA U20 World Cup finals will be played across the cities of Santiago, Rancagua, Valparaiso and Talca. The competition, which started as the FIFA World Youth Tournament, was launched in 1977 and was first hosted by Tunisia.
Nigeria were narrowly edged by Korea Republic after extra time in the semi finals at the last championship hosted by Argentina. The country finished as runners-up in 1989 in Saudi Arabia and in 2005 in The Netherlands.
Group A is headed by hosts Chile, and also has New Zealand, Japan and Egypt, while Group B entertains South Korea, Ukraine, Paraguay and Panama.
Brazil heads Group C that also has Mexico, Morocco and Spain, while Group D includes Italy, Australia, Cuba and multiple winners Argentina. USA, New Caledonia, France and South Africa make up Group E.
FLYING EAGLES FINAL SQUAD LIST FOR 2025 FIFA U20 WORLD CUP FINALS
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 FC, 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)
