Nigeria’s Flying Eagles are heading to Chile for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup with a reshuffled squad after several key players were ruled out.

The team’s preparations took a hit when French side Stade Reims and Germany’s Hoffenheim declined to release their Nigerian youngsters—since the competition isn’t on FIFA’s official calendar, clubs are within their rights to keep players.

That decision means exciting prospects Emmanuel Chukwu and Precious Benjamin (both Hoffenheim) and striker Ibrahim Hafiz (Stade Reims) will miss the tournament. Head coach Aliyu Zubairu responded by unveiling a final 21-man squad that leans heavily on home-based talent.

Notable absentees also include Clinton Jephta, Bidemi Amole, and Divine Oliseh, all of whom featured during the U-20 WAFU B qualifiers. Captain Daniel Bameyi leads the new-look squad, which includes fresh faces such as Israel Ayuma, Ebenezer Harcourt, Charles Agada, Auwal Ibrahim, Kparobo Arierhi, Tahir Maigana, and Odinaka Okoro. Regular fullback Adamu Maigari misses out with a knee injury, while Norway-based midfielder Daniel Daga will link up with the team in Chile.

The Flying Eagles departed Abuja on Sunday night, determined to chase a maiden U-20 world crown after finishing runners-up in 1989 and 2005. They’ll aim to surpass their 2023 quarter-final exit to Korea Republic when the tournament kicks off 27 September and runs through 20 October.