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By Emmanuel Adeleke
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has released a list of 26 players selected for the 2023 Africa Under-17 Cup of Nations in Algeria.
The list comprises names of 16 players from various football academies across the country, while the remaining 10 are from amateur clubsides.
The Golden Eaglets are scheduled to arrive at the Algerian city of Constantine on Sunday night for their final preparations for the 2023 U17 AFCON.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by NFF’s Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire, the team was earlier scheduled to finalise their preparations in Germany, but the complication in the process of securing entry visa aborted the plan.
“Following complications which 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,” Olajire said.
Speaking ahead of the competition, the head coach, Nduka Ugbade, said: “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.”
The U17 squad will launch their campaign for continental glory at the 12-team championship on April 30, against Zambia at the 22,000-capacity Stade Mohamed Hamlaoui, before playing Morocco and South Africa in the other Group B games.
The top four-placed teams – finalists and semi finalists, will qualify to represent Africa at the FIFA U17 World Cup finals scheduled for later in the year.
See the 26-man list below:
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