The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced the list of 26 players who will represent Nigeria in the 2023 Africa Under-17 Cup of Nations in Algeria. The team comprises 16 players from various football academies across the country and the rest from amateur clubs.
The Golden Eaglets, five-time world champions, were initially scheduled to finalize their preparations in Germany but opted for the final build-up in Algeria due to complications arising in securing an entry visa. The team arrived in the Algerian city of Constantine on Sunday night to prepare for the competition beginning on April 30.
The Eaglets will take on Morocco, Zambia, and South Africa in Group B, and the top four teams will qualify to represent Africa at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup finals later this year.
Nigeria’s Under-17 team, whose coaching crew is headed by Nduka Ugbade, won the WAFU B Under-17 Championship in Ghana in June and played 12 friendly matches at their FIFA Goal Project pitch base in Abuja, winning 11 and drawing one, scoring 66 goals and conceding 14.
Ugbade expressed confidence in his team’s ability to win the ticket to the FIFA World Cup and Africa Cup, but remained level-headed, stating that nothing had been won yet.
The Eaglets will begin their campaign against Zambia at the 22,000-capacity Stade Mohamed Hamlaoui in Constantine.
The list of players picked for Algeria 2023 includes 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), and Matthew Awodi Kingsley (Brook House Academy).