bet9ja.com
Flying Eagles coach Aliyu Zubairu has opened the door for foreign based Nigerian talents, including Tyron Akpata and Favour Fawunmi of West Ham United, Noah Adekoya of Burnley U18s, and Fulham’s Chibuzo Nwoko, to join the national U20 team ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations AFCON. This follows Nigeria’s victory in the WAFU B U20 AFCON qualification tournament, where they overcame Ghana in the final after earlier wins against Ivory Coast and Niger, despite an initial loss to Burkina Faso.

Zubairu expressed his intent to bolster the team, especially in defence, acknowledging past vulnerabilities that need addressing. He stated, We will not hinder their participation and are committed to selecting those with the necessary skills. This initiative underscores Nigeria’s ambition to harness both homegrown and foreign based talent to strengthen the squad for continental success.

Akpata and Fawunmi have gained experience in Premier League 2 and the EFL Trophy, while Nwoko has played for Fulham U21s, and Adekoya has developed at Burnley’s youth setup. These additions could provide the defensive reinforcements Zubairu seeks as the for the 2025 U20 AFCON in Egypt.

Editorial

The inclusion of players like Akpata, Fawunmi, Adekoya, and Nwoko represents a promising strategy for the Flying Eagles, blending local talent with the experience of those trained in Europe’s competitive youth systems. This approach aims to raise Nigeria’s profile at the upcoming U20 AFCON and, by extension, prepare the national team for future international competitions.

Coach Zubairu’s proactive stance on strengthening the squad’s defence is critical, as solid defensive structures are often the foundation for success in tournament football. The potential integration of these players not only enhances team depth but also broadens tactical flexibility.
bet9ja.com
The challenge now lies in ensuring these players integrate smoothly with the core team and adapt to Zubairu’s game plan. This collaboration between domestic and international training methodologies could be a winning formula for the Flying Eagles.

Did You Know?

Tyron Akpata and Favour Fawunmi have both participated in Premier League 2 and the EFL Trophy, which are key platforms for developing young talent in England.
The [Flying Eagles](https://www.footballinnigeria.com.ng/news/transfer-news/flying-eagles-winger-isiaka-joins-top-egyptian-club/)' victory in the WAFU B U20 qualification tournament secured their spot in the 2025 U20 AFCON, which will be held in Egypt.
Aliyu Zubairu highlighted defensive concerns as a primary reason for seeking reinforcements from abroad.
Chibuzo Nwoko has been showcasing his talent with Fulham’s U21 team, adding valuable experience to the potential [Flying Eagles](https://www.footballinnigeria.com.ng/football-culture/flying-eagles-striker-praised-for-returning-to-action-after-15-month/) lineup.
Integrating foreign based players into national youth teams has been a strategy used by many countries to enhance performance with diverse skill sets.

bet9ja.com