The FIFA U-20 World Cup has started on Saturday, September 27, 2025, with South Korea up against 2019 winners Ukraine.
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles will kick off their group stage campaign next Monday when they face European powerhouse Norway.
The team has been in Santiago, Chile for the past two weeks and have now arrived in Talca, where they will play their group games.
Nigeria coach Aliyu Zubairu has selected a band of players whom he hopes can do better than Nigeria’s quarter-final placing at the last edition in Argentina in 2023.
In this feature, Footy-africa’s Nigerian football expert Andrew Randa explorers four players to watch in the Flying Eagles squad at FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Ebenezer Harcourt – Goalkeeper (Sporting Lagos)
The young goalkeeper, whose father is also a goalkeeper, has risen in leaps and bounds over the last 18 months.
Ebenezer Harcourt cemented his place as the team’s first-choice goalkeeper with his heroics at the Africa U20 Nations Cup in Egypt.
Blessed with sharp reflexes and good distribution, Harcourt has emerged as one of Nigeria’s brightest prospects and has been tipped for greatness.
He was named in the Super Eagles provisional squad for the FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa but did not make the final cut.
A mainstay in the Flying Eagles, he is expected to be one of the leaders of the team.
Daniel Daga – Midfielder (Molde FK)
Daniel Daga was a lynchpin in the last set of U20s who were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the FIFA U20 World Cup in Argentina, and now he makes a return for this year’s edition.
He first came into prominence at FC One Rocket before moving to Nigerian powerhouse Enyimba, where he featured in the CAF Champions League. A combative midfielder, his energy and work ethic have made him a fan favourite. Since moving to Norwegian side Molde in 2025, he has become a regular.
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At just 18, Daga will bring drive and guile to Zubair’s side as Nigeria aims to win the U20 tournament for the first time in history.
Kparobo Arierhi – Forward (Mjøndalen IF, on loan from Lillestrøm)
A product of the famous Beyond Limits Academy, the 18-year-old is one of Nigeria’s brightest attacking prospects.
After smashing records at youth level, Kparobo Arierhi was called up to the U20 side and impressed, particularly at the WAFU B tournament where he emerged as top scorer.
He also shone at the U20 AFCON, and it was no surprise when he secured a move to Lillestrøm in Norway.
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Now on loan at Mjøndalen, he has already scored three goals this season and will be relied upon to deliver for the Flying Eagles in their quest for a knockout stage place in Chile 2025.
Blessed with pace and an eye for goals, Arierhi’s contribution will be vital to Nigeria’s progress.
Sani Suleiman – Forward (AS Trenčín)
Sani Suleiman burst into national consciousness with Akwa United in the 2023/24 NPFL season, scoring exciting goals and helping them avoid relegation.
Despite joining the Uyo side midway through the season from Wikki Tourists, he still managed 11 goals in 19 matches.
His impressive form earned him two nominations at the League Bloggers Award (Player of the Season and Rookie of the Season) before Slovakian side AS Trenčín snapped him up.
Quick and crafty, Sani brings physical presence to Nigeria’s attack and will be crucial to the team’s chances at the tournament.
