By Giwa SHILE
The Head Coach of the National U-23 team, Imama Amapakabo, has invited 33 players to camp, ahead of next month’s Africa U-23 Cup of Nations qualifying fixture against Libya.
The first leg will be hosted by Libya in Tunisia as the Libyans still cannot host international matches in their country because of the conflict in the North African country.
The matches will be played within March 20 to March 22, while the return leg will hold on March 25 in Nigeria.
A statement by Ademola Olajire, Director of Communications of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), said the invited players resumed camping in Abuja on Wednesday.
Nigeria are the defending champions of the Africa U-23 Cup of Nations, having defeated Algeria in the final of the second edition of the championship staged by Senegal in December 2015.
The victory earned the Olympic Eagles a ticket to the Men’s Football Tournament of the Rio 2016 Olympics, where they won the bronze medal, Nigeria’s only medal at the Games.
“Former Nigeria international goalkeeper Amapakabo has invited four goalkeepers, nine defenders, 10 midfielders and 10 forwards for the assignment.
“He is to be assisted by Kennedy Boboye (Assistant Coach), Fidelis Ilechukwu (Assistant Coach) and Etta Egbe (Goalkeepers’ Trainer),” the statement said.
Egypt will host the 3rd Africa U-23 Cup of Nations from Nov.8 to Nov. 22.
The invited players are:
Goalkeepers: Amos Benjamin (Bayelsa United); Makanjuola Adewale (Ekiti United); Anozie Chinedu (FC Ifeanyi Ubah); Stanley Nwabili (Enyimba FC)
Defenders: John Lazarus (Lobi Stars); Chidera Eze (Rangers International); Anumudu Udochukwu (Lobi Stars); Austin Ugochukwu (Kano Pillars); Chinedu Ajana (Katsina United); Kehinde Adeyemi (Sunshine Stars); Ndah Olisah (Remo Stars); Chinwendu Ali (Yobe Stars); Ebube Duru (Lobi Stars)
Midfielders: Ayobami Junior (Shooting Stars); Isah Ndala (Nasarawa United); William Ukeme (Wikki Tourists); Olatunji Matthew (Enyimba FC); Seth Mayi (Plateau United); Yusuf Maigoro (Kano Pillars); Iwuala Anayo (Kada City); Cletus Emotan (Rivers United); Chigozie Obasi (Sunshine Stars); Chukwudi Agor (ASJ, Owerri)
Forwards: Etiboy Akpan (Akwa United); Anas Mohammed (Shooting Stars); Chijoke Alaekwe (FC IfeanyiUbah); Shamman Tanze (Kano Pillars); Agboola Joshua (Katsina United); Wari Williams (Nasarawa United); Ebuka Okeke (Lamray United); Tolu Ojo (Remo Stars); Wasiu Alalade (Enyimba FC); Solomon Nsude (FC Ifeanyi Ubah).——–NAN
