FLYING Eagles head coach Ladan Bosso has named his final squad for the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Egypt from February 19 to March 11.
The Nigeria Football Federation released the 21-man squad today, with several players retaining their spots after featuring in the regional qualifiers last year.
The squad is led by towering goalkeeper Nathaniel Nwosu, with Rilwanu Sarki, Nicholas Jonathan and Olamilekan Adams also included.
The players and officials of the team are currently in Casablanca, Morocco for a one-week final training camp ahead of the continental competition.
Bosso is confident his boys are in great physical and mental shape for the tournament, which serves as the qualifying competition for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Indonesia.
“We have been able to sustain the same mood we had in camp before going for the WAFU B U-20 Championship in Niamey, which we won,” Bosso told the NFF media team.
“Since then, we have played a series of matches and scored plenty of goals, and that is immense for a winning mentality to stay within a team.
“However, we are not going to underrate any of our opponents. Defeating Zambia in Abuja was good for confidence but we know championship mood would be tougher. We will be ready to do the country proud.”
Seven-time championsNigeria’s first match of the campaign will be against Senegal at the Cairo International Stadium on February 19.
They will then take on hosts Egypt three days later before rounding off the group against Mozambique on February 25.
All four semi-finalists at the 12-team championship in Egypt will qualify to represent Africa at the FIFA U-20 World Cup finals in Indonesia from May 20 to June 11.
Flying Eagles Squad for Egypt 2023 U20 AFCON
Nathaniel Nwosu, Augustine Njoku, Solomon Agbalaka, Daniel Daga, Abel Ogwuche, Daniel Bameyi, Rilwanu Haliru Sarki, Nicholas Jonathan, Ahmed Abdullahi, Muhammad Aminu, Ibrahim Muhammad, Benjamin Frederick, Emmanuel Uchegbu, Onuche Ogbelu, Jude Sunday, Akanbi Saheed Jimoh, Ayuba Francis Abubakar, Samson Lawal, Olamilekan Adams, Caleb Ochedikwu, Chijioke Aniagboso.
