The Nigeria national under-20 football team or Flying Eagles are one the most successful African teams at the youth levels. They have won the African U-20 Cup of Nations seven times. However, since their debut at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in 1981, the Flying Eagles have not won the tournament. Nonetheless, they have had some great players who excelled at that level.
Here are the five greatest Under-20 players of all-time.
5. Uche Nwofor
The Lagos-born striker was a star of the Nigerian under-20 team. In the 2011 African Youth Championship in South Africa, he netted four goals in five games to finish as top goal scorer of the tournament as Nigeria won a sixth continental title. He followed up his excellent form in the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia, scoring two goals in six minutes against Croatia. Nigeria were eliminated in the tournament at the quarterfinals, but Nwofor was a standout player for the team.
4. Samson Siasia
Samson Siasia was part of the Flying Eagles team that finished third at the 1985 FIFA Under-20 World Cup. He scored his only goal of the tournament in a 2-0 group stage win over Canada. Siasia was a key player as Nigeria won the African Youth Championship in 1985, and also went on to manage one of the most successful Nigerian Under-20 teams.
3. Taye Taiwo
Arguably one of the greatest Nigerian fullbacks, Taye Taiwo was electric at youth level. He scored two goals as Nigeria won the 2005 African Youth Championship in Benin. He also shone brightly at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup, where Nigeria finished as runners-up. Taye Taiwo was known for his powerful shot and lethal penalty kicks. He went on to gain 54 caps for the Super Eagles, scoring eight goals.
2. Mutiu Adepoju
In 1989, the Flying Eagles won the African Youth Championship and finished as runners-up in the 1989 FIFA World Youth Championship. One player who stood out among that crop of players was Mutiu Adepoju. His brace against the United States in the semi-finals of the FIFA World Youth Championship ensured that Nigeria reached the final. Adepoju made 48 appearances for the national team, with six goals.
1. John Mikel Obi
The former Chelsea midfielder came into the limelight after his exploits for Nigeria at under-20 level. Although he was not part of the Flying Eagles squad that won the 2005 African Youth Championship, he was vital to their run-up to the final of the 2005 FIFA Under-20 World Cup. In the tournament, Mikel was praised for this exceptional display in midfield and won the Silver Ball for the second-best player at the tournament. He progressed to the national team that year and went on to have a successful career for the Super Eagles.