Nigeria U-20 team profile: key players, full squad list, coach for 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup

Topics: FIFA U-20 World Cup, Poland, Nigeria

Having won the Africa Under-20 Cup of Nations seven time, Nigeria will aim to grab the FIFA U-20 World Cup for the first time in history.

What is Nigeria U-20's history in the FIFA U-20 World Cup?

The Nigeria under 20 men's football team nicknamed the Flying Eagles will be partaking at the FIFA U-20 World Cup for the 12th time in the competition's history.

Despite failing to win any of the previous editions of the tournament, the seven-time African champions have managed to finish as first-runners up on two occasions (1989 and 2005) and second-runners up once (1985).

Only on one occasion since 1983 has the Flying Eagles failed to qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup (2017).

What is Nigeria's group at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup?

Nigeria U-20 are in Group D. For more information and analysis on their Last 16 qualification chances, check out Group D analysis: Nigeria, Qatar, Ukraine, USA - FIFA U-20 World Cup 2019 teams.

What is Nigeria U-20's full squad list for the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup?

Goalkeepers: Detan Ogundare, Olawale Oremade, Jonathan Zaccala

Defenders: Valentine Ozornwafor, Aliu Salawudeen, Igoh Ogbu, Ikouwem Utin, Muhammad Rabiu, Jamil Muhammad

Midfielders: Nnamdi Ofoborh, Eletu Peter, Ayotomiwa Dele-Bashiru, Kingsley Michael, Effiom Maxwell, Aniekeme Okon, Collins Sor

Forwards: Jerome Adams, Tijani Muhammed, Henry Offia, Chinonso Emeka, Success Makanjuola

Who are the key players to watch for Nigeria U-20 at the U-20 World Cup?

Despite failing to finish on a high at the recently ended Africa Under-20 Cup of Nations, Nigeria ranks among the sides with some of the finest talents on the planet. One who could single out Valentine Ozomwafor and Ikouwem Udo for praises with the pair earning call ups to the senior national team back in March after impressing for their respective club side's.

The latter in particular has been quite exceptional for Nigerian outfit Enyimba FC since breaking into the first team and was even named the 2018 NFF Young Player of the Year.

Villarreal's Samuel Chukwueze is another youngster who could catch the eyes of scouts come this summer should he be named in the team that will make the trip to Poland. The 19-year-old winger dominated headlines in recent weeks for a stellar performance in the Yellow Submarine's 4-4 draw with Barcelona.

Aside toying with the defense of the Camp Nou outfit with nifty skill and exhilarating pace, the 2015 FIFA Under-17 World Cup Bronze Boot winner got on the score sheet. Momentarily, Chukwueze is the highest-scoring teenager in La Liga with five goals.

Who is Nigeria U-20's coach?

In 2018, Paul Osahon Aigbogun replaced Emmanuel Amunike as the head coach of the Nigeria U-20 team. Despite it being his first managerial stint on the national front, he has had spells with Cape Town FC in South Africa, Bury in England, Warri Wolves FC and Enyimba FC, both of Nigeria. Aigbogun has almost 20 years of coaching experience.