Kwara Football Academy (KFA) rising star, Abduljelil Kamaldeen, has been named in Nigeria’s U20 team — the Flying Eagles — for the upcoming WAFU-B U20 Championship scheduled to hold in Ghana from July 10 – 23, 2025.
The 16-year-old central midfielder is part of the 20-man squad selected to represent Nigeria at the West African regional tournament, adding his name to the illustrious list of KFA products who have worn the national colours across various age-grade levels.
Kamaldeen becomes the 21st player in the 20-year history of the Ilorin-based academy to earn a national team call-up, underlining the institution’s impressive record of nurturing talents for Nigerian football.
Established in 2005 with the mission of developing young footballers while also offering formal education — the first of its kind in Nigeria — KFA was commissioned by the late CAF President Issa Hayatou. Since then, it has stood out as a reliable talent hub, producing players who have gone on to represent Nigeria at U17, U20, home-based Super Eagles, and even the full Super Eagles levels.
Some notable names who have emerged from the academy include:
Monday Samuel (U20)
Barnabas Imenga Jnr (U20)
Chinedu Ajana (Home-based Eagles)
Gbenga Arokoyo (U20)
Emmanuel Ogbude (U17)
Usman Jonah. (U20)
Mbet Ibanga. (U17)
Deji Bamidele (U17)
Evbuomwan Stone (U17)
Adeyinka Adewale (U17, Home-based Eagles)
Japhet Raymond (U17 World Champion)
Wasiu Jimoh (U20)
Kehinde Ayinde (U17, U20)
Adeshina Gata (U20)
Abdulrasaq Shuaib (U17)
Dennis Emmanuel (Super Eagles)
Olusegun Olakunle (U17, Super Eagles)
Ogundare Detan (U20)
Michael Emmanuel (U17).
Fuad Abdulsalam. (U15)