The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Sunday in Abuja released a list of 26 players picked for the country’s participation in the 2023 Africa Under-17 Cup of Nations in Algeria.
The list has 16 players from various football academies across the country,
while the rest 10 are from amateur club sides.
Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets, who are five-time
world champions, are scheduled to arrive in the Algerian city of Constantine on
Sunday night for their final preparations for the competition.
NAN reports that the team was earlier
scheduled to finalise their preparations in Germany, ahead of the competition
billed for Saturday to May 19.
“Following complications that arose in the
process of securing entry visa into Germany for a planned final training camp
in that country, the NFF opted to send the squad earlier to Algeria for the
final build-up.
”Constantine, the renowned city where the
Eaglets will take on Morocco, Zambia, and South Africa in Group B, is the
choice,” Ademola Olajire, NFF’s Director of Communications, said on Sunday in a
statement.
The Eaglets, whose coaching
crew is headed by Nduka Ugbade, swept all before them to win the WAFU B
Under-17 Championship in Cape Coast, Ghana in June.
They have since put on display tremendous
firepower in their preparations for the continental showpiece.
After resuming camp in mid-March following the
break for the general elections, the Eaglets played 12 friendly matches at
their FIFA Goal Project pitch base in Abuja.
They won 11 of the matches and drew the other
one, scoring a total of 66 goals and conceding 14.
“We are going to Algeria with confidence but
with level heads. We’re the champions of WAFU B, but in essence, nothing has
been won.
“What matters now is winning a ticket to the
FIFA World Cup and winning the Africa Cup. I believe we have the boys to do the
job,” Ugbade was quoted as saying before the team departed Nigeria on Sunday.
Nigeria will launch its campaign for
honours at the 12-team continental championship on April 30, against Zambia at
the 22,000-capacity Stade Mohamed Hamlaoui.
They will then take on Morocco and South
Africa in other matches in Group B.
The top four-placed teams in Algeria will
qualify to represent Africa at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup finals scheduled for
later this year.
THE 26 PLAYERS PICKED FOR ALGERIA 2023:
Richard Odoh (HB Football Academy)
Yahaya Danjuma Lawali (Mahanaim FC)
Emmanuel Michael (Simon Ben Football Academy)
Haruna Abdullahi (Kurfi Tigers Academy)
Tochukwu Joseph Ogboji (Purple Crown Academy)
Jeremiah Oluwaseyi Olaleke (Ablaze Football
Academy)
Umar Abubakar (Devine Football Academy)
Abubakar Idris Abdullahi (Jega United)
Precious Tonye Williams (HB Football Academy)
Ifeoluwa Adewale Olowoporoku (Triple 44
Academy)
Charles Adah Agada (Mavlon FC)
Hope Yusuf Linus (E.E. Sporting Club)
Jubril Opeyemi Azeez (Right Vision Choice
Academy)
Anongu Isaac Aondoakaa (FC Bathel Sporting)
Israel Nwachukwu Usulor (Real Sapphire FC)
Temiloluwa Oluwayimika Adelakin (Box2Box
Academy)
Simon Karshe Cletus (Mavlon FC)
Tochukwu Simeon Ogbadibo (Jossy United)
Light Chijioke Eke (C&C Football Academy)
Favour Oluwasegun Daniel (G12 Football
Academy)
Chijioke Julius Linus (Triple 44 Academy)
Quadri Oluwatobiloba Adewale (Nathaniel Boys
FC)
Gift Ukeh Adie (Paul E Football Academy)
Musa Oluwaseyi Akinfenwa (Real Sapphire FC)
Usman Ajibola Owoyemi (Triple 44 Academy)
Matthew Awodi Kingsley (Brook House Academy)
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