Haruna Aliyu

Haruna Aliyu

Personal information
Date of birth	(2006-01-02) January 2, 2006 (age 19)
Place of birth	Nigeria
Position(s)	Centre-back
Team information
Current team	Wikki Tourists F.C. (on loan from Grass Runner FC)
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2022–2024	Doma United F.C.	45	(0)
2025–	Grass Runner FC	–	(–)
2025–	→ Wikki Tourists F.C. (loan)	3	(0)
International career
2025–	Nigeria U-20
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Haruna Aliyu (born 2 January 2006) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Wikki Tourists F.C., on loan from Grass Runner FC, and the Nigeria U-20 national team. ^{[1] [2]}

Early life

Little is publicly documented about Aliyu's early life or youth career prior to his senior debut.

Club career

Doma United

Aliyu began his professional career with Doma United F.C. in the Nigeria Professional Football League. He made 18 league appearances during the 2022–23 season and 27 in the 2023–24 season. ^{[3] [4]}

Grass Runner FC and loan to Wikki Tourists

Aliyu is contracted to Grass Runner FC, a club competing in Nigeria's Nationwide League One. In 2025, he joined Wikki Tourists F.C. on loan in the Nigeria Professional Football League. His performances for Wikki earned media recognition and led to his call-up to the Nigeria U-20 World Cup squad. ^[5]

International Career: Nigeria U-20

In September 2025, Aliyu was named to the Nigeria U-20 squad for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, replacing injured defender Marvelous Freedom. ^{[6] [7] [8]} He had earlier featured in a WAFU B qualifying match against Niger, which Nigeria won 3–1. ^[9]

Aliyu is a left-footed centre-back, noted for his composure, positional awareness, and defensive solidity.

References

1. "Egypt-bound Flying Eagles return to Abuja to intensify U20 AFCON preparations – The NFF Official Website" . Retrieved 2025-09-28.
2. "NPFL rising star: 17-year-old Haruna Aliyu making strides with Doma United" . Retrieved 2025-09-28.
3. Adesanya, Taiwo (2023-09-12). "Sporting Lagos, Kano Pillars jostle for Doma United's Aliyu". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
4. Adewale, Abiodun (2023-05-07). "Unsung heroes: Emerging stars of the NPFL". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
5. Adesanya, Taiwo (2025-09-25). "2025 FIFA U-20 W/Cup: Wikki Tourists back Aliyu to succeed with Flying Eagles". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
6. Meshioye, David (2025-09-26). "Haruna Aliyu joins Flying Eagles for U-20 World Cup after Marvelous Freedom injury". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
7. "U-20 World Cup: Haruna Aliyu replaces injured Flying Eagles ace Marvelous Freedom" . Retrieved 2025-09-28.
8. News, Leadership (2025-09-26). "World Cup: Flying Eagles Coach Picks Wikki Tourists' Aliyu To Replace Injured Freedom" . Retrieved 2025-09-28.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
9. Areo, Samuel (2025-02-11). "U20AFCON: Flying Eagles camp in Abuja for Egypt friendlies". ACLSports. Retrieved 2025-09-28.