Seventeen-year-old midfielder Habila Simeon has been named captain of Nigeria’s U20 national team, the Flying Eagles, ahead of the upcoming WAFU B U20 Championship, which also serves as a qualifier for the 2027 U20 Africa Cup of Nations.
The gifted playmaker, who will celebrate his 18th birthday in September, was handed the captain’s armband after impressing head coach Abdul Maikaba during the team’s preparations for the regional tournament.
Simeon currently plays for Golden Boot Soccer (GBS), a Jos-based football academy with a strong reputation for developing talented youngsters who have gone on to represent Nigeria at various youth levels. His elevation to captain is seen as a major endorsement of both his leadership qualities and technical ability.
The highly rated attacking midfielder has already attracted attention from several European clubs, with scouts expected to closely monitor his performances throughout the tournament. Interest is expected to intensify once he turns 18 or following the conclusion of the competition.
Nigeria will begin its WAFU B campaign on Monday with a high-profile clash against rivals Ghana’s Black Satellites. The Flying Eagles will then face Togo on July 30 before rounding off the group stage against Burkina Faso on August 2, with qualification for the U20 AFCON at stake.
Coach Maikaba will be counting on Simeon’s creativity, vision, and leadership to inspire the seven-time African champions through a challenging group as they seek another appearance on the continental stage.
For Simeon, the tournament presents an opportunity to further establish himself as one of Nigeria’s brightest young prospects while showcasing his talent to European scouts. His appointment as captain also reflects the growing confidence in the country’s next generation of footballers.
As Nigeria continues to strengthen its youth development pathway, all eyes will be on the teenage midfielder to see if he can lead the Flying Eagles to regional success and take another significant step in what promises to be an exciting career.
