Top 3 Flying Eagles stars from 2024 WAFU Cup triumph

SCORENigeria picks the Top 3 standout Flying Eagles players at the 2024 WAFU B U20 Tournament, which was a qualifier for the 2025 U20 AFCON and which they won at the expense of arch-rivals Ghana.

3.Clinton Jephta

He is the dashing Enyimba winger, whose brace propelled the Flying Eagles past a spirited Niger to the WAFU Cup final. Altogether he netted three goals including the all-important equaliser against Cote d’Ivoire. He was Man of the Match vs Niger. He enjoyed the confidence of coach Aliyu Zubairu even when he struggled with his overall play.

Clinton Jephta – Man of Match vs Niger semifinal WAFU B tournament

2.Daniel Bameyi

He was the true leader of this largely untested team both on and off the pitch. He stablised the back four in central defence made up of players from the NPFL – Kenneth Igboke (Enugu Rangers), Adamu Maigari (El Kanemi Warriors), Haruna Aliyu (Doma United, who were in the NPFL last season). His experience and infectious confidence ensured a decent Flying Eagles defending especially in the final against Ghana, who paraded the best attack at this tournament. He was Man of the Match against Cote d’Ivoire.

1.Kparobo Arierhi

The most outstanding Flying Eagles player at the U20 AFCON qualifying tournament in Togo not only because of his three goals, but the very bright future in front of him. The 17-year-old centre-forward, who was discovered at a Victor Ikpeba Tournament in Warri, rose to the occasion when it mattered most – first, he fired the winning goal that beat Cote d’Ivoire and qualify Nigeria to the semifinals. His brace were also enough for the Flying Eagles to retain the sub-regional U20 championship. He was the undisputed Man of the Final. At Beyond Limits Football Academy he is in the right place to go on to be a big star in Europe sooner rather later.

Kparobo Arierhi – Flying Eagles standout star at WAFU B U20 Championship