By Charles Pemu 
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles faces a major challenge ahead of the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, as several key players have been withheld by their European clubs. The tournament is not on FIFA’s official calendar, which allows clubs to refuse player releases for international duty.
Both French club Stade Reims and Germany’s Hoffenheim have refused to release their Nigerian players. Emmanuel Chukwu and Precious Benjamin, both from Hoffenheim, will miss the competition, as will Ibrahim Hafiz of Stade Reims. All three were considered crucial to the team’s prospects.
Squad Adjustments and Departures
Head coach Aliyu Zubairu has responded by naming a final 21-man squad that includes several new faces. The team, captained by Daniel Bameyi, departed Abuja for Chile on Sunday. Norway-based midfielder Daniel Daga is expected to join the squad in Chile before their first match. Notable exclusions from the squad include Clinton Jephta, Bidemi Amole, and Divine Oliseh, while regular fullback Adamu Maigari was ruled out due to a knee injury.
The Flying Eagles, who have been runners-up twice (1989 and 2005), will be aiming for their first U-20 World Cup title. They were knocked out in the quarter-finals by the Republic of Korea at the last tournament.