Istanbulspor central defender Michael Ologo was the player axed from the Flying Eagles final 21-man squad to the U20 AFCON in Egypt.
Initial reports were that Nasarawa United striker Francis Ayuba will be the one to be dropped following the late inclusion of Belgium-based striker Ahmed Abdullahi.
However, Ologo, who has already been capped by Nigeria at U23 level, will be the player to miss after a recent illness slowed him down.
He has dropped down the pecking order among the central defenders and did not feature in the friendly against Zambia in Abuja.
There will now be five defenders on the final squad and seven forwards.
Meanwhile, the Flying Eagles have settled down in Mohammedia, near the Moroccan commercial capital city of Casablanca.
Coach Ladan Bosso has spoken about the team’s winning mentality and was bullish about their chances of qualifying for the FIFA U20 World Cup in Indonesia in May.
