Nigeria’s U20 men’s head coach, Aliyu Zubair, has unveiled his final 21-man squad for the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile, with Molde FK midfielder Daniel Daga making a much-anticipated return.

Daga, who shone at the last tournament in Argentina two years ago, headlines the list alongside team captain Daniel Bameyi, who recently completed a move to Slovenian side Primorje Ajdovščina.

First-choice goalkeeper Ifeanyi Ebenezer Harcourt also retains his spot, while Bayelsa United’s Clinton Ezekiel earns a call-up to join the goalkeeping department. Norway-based striker Kparobo Arierhi and Sporting Lagos left-back Odinaka Okoro are among the new faces, alongside Remo Stars’ dependable defender Ahmed Akinyele and Ikorodu City’s versatile Freedom Marvellous.

Akwa United’s livewire Sani Suleiman, who caught the eye in the second half of the 2023/24 NPFL season, has also been rewarded with a place in the team. He joins forward Charles Agada in the attacking lineup, as Zubair looks to blend homegrown talent with Europe-based players.

Nigeria has been drawn in Group F, where they will face Norway, Saudi Arabia, and Colombia. The Flying Eagles will hope to improve on their quarter-final finish in Argentina, with the country still chasing a first-ever U20 world title after finishing runners-up in 1989 and 2005.

The tournament runs from September 27 to October 19 across four Chilean cities: Santiago, Rancagua, Valparaíso, and Talca. Nigeria will compete as one of Africa’s four representatives alongside South Africa, Morocco, and Egypt.

Nigeria’s 21-Man Squad for Chile 2025

Goalkeepers: Ifeanyi Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos), Rufai Abubakar (Mavlon FC), Clinton Ezekiel (Bayelsa United)

Defenders: Odinaka Okoro (Sporting Lagos), Daniel Bameyi (Primorje Ajdovščina, Slovenia), Freedom Marvellous (Ikorodu City), Ahmed Akinyele (Remo Stars), Azuka Alanta (Hypebuzz Academy), Amos Echoche (Stade Reims B, France)

Midfielders: Israel Isaac Ayuma (NK Istra, Croatia), Emmanuel Ekele (PFC Montana, Bulgaria), Kamaldeen Mustapha (Kwara Football Academy), Auwal Ibrahim (Unattached), Daniel Daga (Molde FK, Norway)

Forwards: Tahir Maigana (Wireless FC), Kparobo Nathaniel Arierhi (Lillestrom SK, Norway), Orseer Achihi (Royal Antwerp, Belgium), Sani Suleiman (AS Trencin, Slovakia), Charles Agada (NK Istra, Croatia), Nasiru Salihu (NK Gabala, Azerbaijan), Shittu Abdullahi