20 Flying Eagles set for WAFU B U-20 Cup

The Flying Eagles, Nigeria’s U20 boys’ team, have begun training in Accra, the capital of Ghana, in preparation for the start of this year’s WAFU B U20 Boys Tournament.

The tournament was set to be an expanded event featuring teams from the 9-nation WAFU A, but organizers have had to revert to a WAFU B-only format.

The competition will take place in the Ghanaian capital from July 10th to 23rd at the Prampram Centre in Accra.

Head Coach Aliyu Zubairu has selected captain Daniel Bameyi along with 19 other players from the team that secured third place at the Africa U20 Cup of Nations in Egypt two months ago, qualifying them to represent Africa at the FIFA U20 World Cup finals in Chile later this year.

A number of new players have joined the squad, including Bayelsa United goalkeeper Clinton Andy, defenders Abba Sadiq and Marvelous Freedom, midfielder Abduljelil Kamaldeen, and forwards Imrana Muhammad and Qudus Olayiwola.

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Nigeria, champions of the previous two WAFU B U20 Championships will face off against host nation Ghana in Group A's opening match at 3 PM on Thursday, July 10.

On Sunday, July 13, the Flying Eagles will face off against the Benin Republic in a three-team Group A.

Group B consists of Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Niger Republic, and Togo, with the Ivorians facing off against the Burkinabes in the group’s opening match on Thursday.

Goalkeepers: Ifeanyi Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos); Clinton Andy (Bayelsa United)

Defenders: Abba Khalid Sadiq (Niger Tornadoes); Odinaka Okoro (Sporting Lagos); Daniel Bameyi (Bayelsa United); Akinniran Oluwashile (Water FC); Ahmed Akinyele (Remo Stars); Marvelous Freedom (Ikorodu City)

Midfielders: Divine Oliseh (Forster Academy); Bidemi Amole (Real Sapphire FC); Tahir Maigana (Wireless FC); Ezekiel Kpangu (Inspire Academy); Rawa Mohammed (Beyond Limits); Matthew Kingsley (Kings FC); Abduljelil Kamaldeen (Kwara Football Academy); Shafiu Adamu Duguri (Wikki Tourists)

Forwards: Abdullahi Muhammed (Kwara United); Godday Otalyul-Imbus (Calabar Rovers); Imrana Muhammad (Mavlon FC); Qudus Olayiwola (P Sport FC)