Abdu Maikaba has named 35 players for Nigeria’s U20 national team camp. The Flying Eagles head coach invited three goalkeepers, 10 defenders, 11 midfielders and 11 forwards. All players must report to Abuja on Saturday.
The WAFU B U20 Championship serves as a qualifier for the 2027 Africa U20 Cup of Nations. Ivory Coast will host the regional tournament in July.
Maikaba took charge of the Flying Eagles recently. He previously served as assistant coach when Nigeria finished as runners-up at two FIFA U20 World Cups. His technical crew includes Ortega Deniran as first assistant, Abdullahi Biffo as second assistant, and Usman Mohammed as goalkeepers trainer.
Seven foreign-based players made the list. They are Abubakar Rufai of NK Istra 1961 in Croatia, Wahab Bolanle Musa of FC Malaga in Spain, Mutari Momoh of NK Istra 1961, Sale Abdulrashid of Kryubar FC in Ukraine, Simon Karshe Cletus of FC Rijeka in Croatia, Imrana Mohammed of FC Alaves in Spain, and Peter Pam Davou of Vitkovice in the Czech Republic.
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Sporting Lagos leads all clubs with four players in the squad. The newly promoted Nigeria Premier Football League side contributed goalkeeper Clinton Lawani, midfielder Victor Samuel, and forwards Seun Akanji and Alex Leme.
The home-based contingent includes players from Kano Pillars, Katsina United, Akwa United, and Warri Wolves. Other clubs such as Wikki Tourists, Inter Lagos, Ranchers Bees, and Barau FC also have representatives. Nigeria Premier Football League sides dominate the selection.
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Goalkeepers invited are Clinton Lawani of Sporting Lagos, Abubakar Rufai of NK Istra 1961 and Uchechukwu Aloysius of Akwa United.
The defensive unit features Ayinla Olayomi of Warri Wolves, Abubakar Aliyu of Wikki Tourists, Favour Nkwocha of Morak FC, Wahab Bolanle Musa of FC Malaga, Bonaventure Chiemela of Inter Lagos, Gamagira Umar Suleman of Ranchers Bees, Mathias Azi Yakubu of GBS, Mutari Momoh of NK Istra 1961, Abdulaziz Musa Ndaman of Mavlon FC and Godwin Samuel of Ikon Allah FC.
Midfielders named include Victor Samuel of Sporting Lagos, Oraro Apine of Warri Wolves, Sale Abdulrashid of Kryubar FC, Sa’ad Tijjani of Barau FC, Imran Ahmad of Kano Pillars, Peres Jerem of P Sports, Ayeni Samson of Stormers FC, Habila Simeon Sulai of GBS, Simon Karshe Cletus of FC Rijeka, Auwalu Mohammed of Bichi First FC and Ibrahim Yakubu of Turbo Touch.
The forward line comprises Abba Dalli of Katsina United, Prince Columbus of Forster Academy, Goodluck Angel of P Sports, Imrana Mohammed of FC Alaves, Adamu Hussaini of Barau FC, Seun Akanji of Sporting Lagos, Shamsudeen Adamu Abdullahi of Capital City FC, Alex Leme of Sporting Lagos, Ezekiel Oguchukwu of Mavlon FC, Mus’ab Suleiman of Footwork FC and Peter Pam Davou of Vitkovice.
The Flying Eagles are seven time African champions. Maikaba will use the WAFU B Championship to build a competitive squad. Nigeria aims to restore its dominance on the continent.
