Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have received a major boost ahead of next month’s FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile, with two highly-rated teenagers pledging their international futures to the country.

Exciting winger Divine Onyemachi and promising striker Jonathan Spiff Asuzu have both opted to represent Nigeria, despite being eligible for England and Argentina respectively.

Onyemachi, 18, was born and raised in England and had represented West Bromwich Albion’s youth sides before earning a move to Serie A outfit Lecce this summer. A lively and clinical wide forward, he bagged 11 goals in 21 U18 Premier League appearances last season, alongside two FA Youth Cup strikes, before adding another nine league goals in the following campaign. His decision to commit to Nigeria has now been rewarded with a maiden call-up to the Flying Eagles’ training camp in Abuja.

Flying Eagles head coach Aliyu Zubairu hailed Onyemachi’s arrival as a huge addition, describing him as a player who can inject “pace, directness, and creativity” into the team as they chase their first-ever U20 World Cup title after near misses in 1989 and 2005.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Spiff Asuzu, also 18, chose Nigeria over Argentina despite being born in Buenos Aires to a Nigerian father and Argentine mother. The River Plate centre-forward has impressed with his sharp movement, intelligent positioning, and ability to finish with both feet. Having recently been promoted to River Plate’s reserve side after excelling in their youth ranks and at the Mohammed VI Academy tournament in Morocco, Asuzu admitted that his admiration for Nigerian legend Austin Jay-Jay Okocha influenced his decision.

Nigeria will compete in Group F, facing Colombia, Saudi Arabia, and Norway in the World Cup set for 27 September to 19 October across four Chilean cities. They will be joined by fellow African representatives South Africa, Morocco, and Egypt.

The Flying Eagles have finished as runners-up twice but are yet to lift the trophy. With the addition of Onyemachi and Asuzu, hopes are rising that this generation could finally go one step further.