Charles Ebuka, a rising Nigerian striker, has been turning heads with his impressive performances for Derby County’s youth teams.
The talented forward, who has been excelling in both the U18 and U21 Premier Leagues, has already made a significant impact, scoring ten goals in just six league appearances.
His goal-scoring exploits have seen him rise to the top of the U18 Premier League’s scorer chart, earning him a spot as a potential candidate for Nigeria’s Flying Eagles ahead of the 2025 CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in South Africa.
Ebuka’s stellar form comes at an exciting time for the Nigerian U20 team, who have already secured their spot in the tournament after winning the WAFU Zone B tournament in Togo.
Nigeria triumphed over their arch-rivals Ghana in the final, despite a disappointing loss to Burkina Faso in their opening match. The Flying Eagles will now turn their focus to the upcoming CAF U20 AFCON in 2025, where they will aim to qualify for the FIFA U20 World Cup, scheduled to take place in Chile later that year.
In an interview with the press, Flying Eagles head coach Aliyu Zubairu expressed his openness to including foreign-based players in the squad for the tournament.
Zubairu stated that he is keen on improving various positions within the team to enhance Nigeria’s chances of securing a spot at the FIFA U20 World Cup. This has created an exciting opportunity for Charles Ebuka to represent Nigeria at the continental level.
Ebuka, who is often likened to the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimović and Didier Drogba due to his powerful presence as a traditional center forward, is seen as a valuable addition to the Flying Eagles’ attack.
His ability to score goals and dominate defenders would add a new dimension to the team, making them even more formidable in the competition.
When asked about his footballing inspirations, Ebuka named both Ibrahimović and Drogba as his idols, revealing that he shares a similar playing style with the two legends.
With his towering presence and knack for finding the back of the net, Ebuka will hope to get a chance to represent Nigeria at the 2025 CAF U20 AFCON and beyond.
