European Club Makes History as Alashkert Stars Earn Flying Eagles Call-Ups

Armenian Premier League side Alashkert have confirmed that Nigerian talents Usman Ajibona and Yahaya Buhari have been selected for the Flying Eagles U-20 national team.

Yerevan based Alashkert announced the news via their official channels, noting that Buhari will be unavailable for the current training camp in Abuja due to injury. Meanwhile, 18 year old Ajibona has received clearance to join the team as preparations ramp up for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile.

Ajibona began his journey at Dosu Joseph FC before moving abroad, playing for FDC Vista in Russia and FC Van in Armenia prior to his summer transfer to Alashkert. He has yet to make his debut this season but scored two goals in eleven Armenian Premier League appearances last term.

Alashkert’s swift ascent is noteworthy. Since their 2011 founding, they became the first Armenian club to reach a European group stage in 2021 entering the UEFA Europa Conference League and securing the nation’s first group-stage point.

The Nigerian presence at the club continues to grow. Alongside Ajibona and Buhari, the squad includes Malik Odeyinka (19) and Obi Chima (18), though neither received call-ups for the current camp. Furthermore, Alashkert bolstered their Nigerian contingent by adding 21 year old midfielder Ifeanyi David Nduka, who previously featured for FC Van, Arsenal Tula, Botev Plovdiv, and FDC Vista.

Editorial

We celebrate the groundbreaking inclusion of Ajibona and Buhari in the Flying Eagles squad, which marks a significant milestone for both players and club. Alashkert’s narrative from their modest foundation in 2011 to making history in European competition is a testament to ambition, progress, and belief in potential.

We see Ajibona’s path from local pitches to Russia, then Armenia, and now a national call up as a vivid illustration of football’s global reach. Buhari’s selection, despite his injury, signals the faith placed in their talent.

We believe that Alashkert’s deepening Nigerian cohort now including Odeyinka, Chima, and Nduka speaks volumes about the club’s commitment to nurturing African talent and fostering cross-continental opportunity. This synergy benefits both player development and the quality of Armenian football.

We trust this moment will inspire more Nigerian youths to look beyond borders, knowing that merit and perseverance can open doors anywhere. The Flying Eagles will soon benefit from two players who embody diverse experiences, determination, and the promise of a bright international future.

Did You Know?

1. Alashkert was founded in 2011 and has already become one of Armenia’s most successful clubs, capturing multiple league titles.
2. In 2021, they became the first Armenian side to compete in a UEFA group-stage competition, earning UEFA Conference League qualification.
3. Ajibona has experience across three nations before his Alashkert stint Nigeria, Russia, and Armenia underscoring his adaptability.
4. Ifeanyi David Nduka, the newest Nigerian addition, brings varied experience from Russia (Arsenal Tula), Bulgaria (Botev Plovdiv), and Armenia (FC Van).
5. The Flying Eagles are Nigeria’s U-20 national team and have claimed the FIFA U-20 World Cup twice, in 1985 and 2015.