Flying Eagles coach Aliyu Zubairu has named his final 24-man squad for this year’s U-20 AFCON in Egypt, with goalkeeper Ifeanyi Harcourt, defender and captain Daniel Bameyi, midfielder Sulaiman Alabi Jojo and forward Kparobo Arierhi topping the selection.
The tournament will be played in Egypt from April 27 to May 18.
Zubairu’s list has three goalkeepers, five defenders, six midfielders and 10 forwards.
Harcourt is joined between the sticks by Rufai Abubakar (Mavlon FC) and Soliu Ajia Yakub (FK Novi Pazar, Serbia).
The defenders include Bameyi, who plays for Bayelsa United, Adamu Maigari (El-Kanemi Warriors); Odinaka Okoro (Sporting Lagos); Emmanuel Chukwu (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Germany); and Chigozie Michael Ihejiofor (Katsina United).
El-Kanemi Warriors midfielder Alabi, Caleb Ochedikwu (NK Uljanik Pula, Croatia); Israel Isaac Ayuma (NK Istra, Croatia); Simon Cletus (Mavlon FC); Auwal Ibrahim (Akwa United) and Shafiu Adamu Duguri (Wikki Tourists) make up the midfield.
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Former Beyond Limits striker, Arierhi, returns from Europe to lead the line and will be joined by the likes of Precious Benjamin (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Germany); Ezekiel Anthony Kpangu (Inspire FC); Divine Oliseh (Forster Academy); Clinton Jephta (Enyimba FC); Bidemi Amole (Real Sapphire FC); Tahir Maigana (Wireless FC); Theophilus Mendos Rickson (Niger Tornadoes); Matthew Kingsley (Kings FC) and Yushau Armiyau (Katsina United) for a place upfront.
The seven-time African champions and two-time World Cup runners-up will depart Nigeria for Egypt on Sunday, where they are expected to play a couple of friendly matches before their opening match of the competition against Tunisia in Cairo on Thursday, May 1.
Three days after the clash with the Tunisians, the Flying Eagles will take the pitch against Morocco (also in Cairo) before rounding off their group phase experience against Kenya on Wednesday, May 7.
Nigeria are drawn in Group B where they will face Tunisia, Kenya and Morocco, as they hope to win their eighth continental title.
The Flying Eagles were formerly drawn alongside Egypt, South Africa and Morocco but a new draw was occasioned by the withdrawal of former hosts Ivory Coast.
All four semi-finalists at the tournament in Egypt will fly Africa’s flag at this year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup, which will be played in Chile from September 27 to October 19.
(Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe)
