Know the Flying Eagles to the U20 AFCON qualifiers

Coach Ladan Bosso has officially named a 20-man squad for next month’s U20 AFCON qualifiers in Benin Republic.

SCORENigeria now takes a closer look at the players who made the final cut.

Goalkeepers

John Amah (Box2Box FC)

He was criticised for a number of fumbles at the 2018 U17 AFCON zonal qualifiers in Niger before he failed the age test for the U17 AFCON in Tanzania. He has a good height for a goalkeeper.  

Chibueze Lambert (Abia Warriors)

He is the Flying Eagles captain. He is regarded as the team’s No 1 shot stopper after he rose through the ranks at NPFL club Abia Warriors. He is very agile and confident.

Kolawole Oladipo (Crown FC)

He will be the third-choice in Benin. The disqualification of a number of more experienced goalkeepers also paved the way for him.

Defenders

Temitayo Ereku (Brookhouse Academy)

He is one of only two overseas-based players on the final squad for the qualifiers. He is a cover for central defenders Nweze and Ejeh.

Charles Etim (Blessed Stars)

A versatile defender who will be expected to be cover at rightback, leftback or even central defence.

Mike Zaruma (Plateau United)

The rightback did well at the last U20 AFCON in Niger but was surprisingly left out of the World Cup. He has a good cross, great movement and also a good shot. He had to fight off competition from the likes of Hungary-based Sani Abacha to make the final cut.

Christopher Nwaeze (Kwara United)

Ex-Crown FC central defender who has formed a great partnership with club mate Isaiah Ejeh in the heart of the back four of the Flying Eagles. He has also proved in test games, he can score goals.

Moses Solomon (Calabar Rovers)

Enyimba’s insistence to have Imo Obot back for their CAF Champions League campaign opened the door for the Calabar Rovers leftback to make it to the party in Benin Republic.

Isaiah Ejeh (Kwara United)

This former FC Abuja star has formed a great pairing with Nwaeze in the Flying Eagles defence.

Jimmy Abdul (MFM)

The fourth central defender in the squad. He started out in Abuja and he is presently with the Lagos church club MFM.

Midfielders

Oladoye Adewale (Water FC)

Tall defensive midfielder from non-league Water FC Abuja, who did not make final cut to last year’s U20 World Cup in Poland. He is strong in the tackle and good aerially.

Liameed Quadri (36 Lions)

The little man with a big engine. He was promoted from the U17s to the U20s two years ago, but ‘Kante’ only made it to the All Africa Games in Morocco. Like the original Kante, you cannot fault his commitment to the cause of the team.

Muhammad Abdallah (Nasarawa United)

A highly-rated central midfielder from NPFL club Nasarawa United. He is the creator-in-chief of the team since he was discovered by the Flying Eagles after he mesmerized them in a friendly involving his club Nasarawa United.

Azeez Oseni (36 Lions)

Stocky attacking midfielder who scores his fair share of goals.

Attackers

Chisom Orji (Collins Edwin)

He made the U23 AFCON qualifiers squad to Egypt last year under coach Imama Amapakabo. The left-sided player is versatile. He can play as a left winger or as a leftback.

Wisdom Ubani (Giant Brillas)

Top striker who featured at last year’s U17 World Cup in Brazil. He was widely tipped to move to Europe, but that has yet to do so. He packs a very good shot, but fierce competition has meant he has often been played on the flanks in this team.

Farayola Olawale (Kwara United)

Exciting winger and one of the revelations of the team. A lot is expected of this Lagos-born player in Benin and beyond.

Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi (Giant Brillas)

He is the main striker of this team, scored six goals in eight test games leading up to the qualifiers. Can he deliver when it matters most?.

Nenrot Silas (Plateau United)

Winger with a lot of pace to burn. He has experience of playing in the NPFL for the past two seasons, that can only be good for this team.

Peter Olawale (Hapoel Ranana, Israel)

A lot was expected of him at last year’s U17 World Cup. He has another chance to show what he can deliver on the international level. Great quick feet and armed with a decent pace. He is the direct rival of Ikwuemesi for the No 9 jersey.