Preparations for Nigeria’s Flying Eagles ahead of the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup have been dealt a blow following the withdrawal of key overseas-based players.
French club Stade Reims and German side Hoffenheim have declined to release Nigerian players for the tournament in Chile, which does not fall on FIFA’s official calendar. This gives clubs the right to withhold their players from international duty.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Hoffenheim’s Emmanuel Chukwu and Precious Benjamin will miss the competition, while Ibrahim Hafiz, a striker with Stade Reims, has also been ruled out. All three players were considered important prospects for the team.
Head coach Aliyu Zubairu has adjusted his plans, naming a final 21-man squad without several overseas-based players. Notably, Enyimba winger Clinton Jephta, along with Bidemi Amole and Divine Oliseh, who featured at the U-20 WAFU B qualifiers in Togo, were omitted.
Team captain Daniel Bameyi headlines the squad, with over 10 players having participated in recent training camps and friendly matches. New inclusions are Israel Ayuma, Ebenezer Harcourt, Charles Agada, Auwal Ibrahim, Kparobo Arierhi, Tahir Maigana, and Odinaka Okoro.
Regular fullback Adamu Maigari misses out due to a knee injury, while Norway-based midfielder Daniel Daga is expected to link up with the squad in Chile.
The Flying Eagles departed Abuja for Chile on Sunday night as they prepare to compete strongly for the title when the tournament kicks off on September 27 and runs until October 20.
Nigeria, seeking their first FIFA U-20 World Cup crown after reaching the final in 1989 and 2005, were knocked out in the quarter-finals by Korea Republic at Argentina 2023.
