Nigeria’s Flying Eagles will face hosts Chile and Australia in their final tune-up matches before the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup begins on 27 September.
Aliyu Zubairu’s squad landed in Santiago on Monday after a stopover in Istanbul. The 12-day training camp in Chile marks the last phase of their preparations for the global showpiece.
The seven-time African champions used Tuesday to recover from travel fatigue before beginning double training sessions on Wednesday, scheduled for 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. local time.
Nigeria are expected to fine-tune tactics against both Chile and Australia as they build momentum for the tournament.
The seven-time African champions will play Chile on 20 September and Australia three days later.
They begin their Group F campaign against Norway on 29 September in Talca, before meetings with Saudi Arabia on 2 October and Colombia on 5 October.
Zubairu has named a 21-man squad combining homegrown players with Europe-based talents.
Captain Daniel Bameyi, who recently joined Primorje Ajdovščina in Slovenia, is joined by Molde midfielder Daniel Daga, Manchester City’s Abdullahi Shitu Ele and Reims defender Ocheche Amos Onyejefu.
From the NPFL, Remo Stars’ Ahmed Akinyele, Sporting Lagos full-back Odinaka Okoro and Akwa United midfielder Auwal Ibrahim are included.
In attack, Lillestrom striker Kparobo Arierhi and Royal Antwerp’s Achichi Oseer lead the line.
However, the squad is missing some key names. With the tournament outside FIFA’s calendar, Hoffenheim’s Emmanuel Chukwu, Reims forward Ibrahim Hafiz and Precious Benjamin were not released, while injuries have sidelined defender Adamu Maigari.
Despite the setbacks, Zubairu remains upbeat. “Our priority is to get out of the group stage. That will give us momentum and confidence to push deeper into the competition,” he said.
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Nigeria have twice reached the U-20 World Cup final, in 1989 and 2005, but are still chasing a maiden global crown. They reached the quarter-finals at the last edition in Argentina.
Nigeria squad for 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup
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 (Primorje Ajdovščina, Slovenia), 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)
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Forwards: Achichi Oseer (Royal Antwerp, Belgium), Sani Suleman (AS Trencin, Slovakia), Tahir Maigana (Wireless FC), Kparobo Arierhi (Lillestrom, Norway), Charles Agaba (NK Istra, Croatia), Abdullahi Shitu Ele (Manchester City, England)
