The 25-man Flying Eagles squad, which today embarked on a training tour of Morocco ahead of the U20 AFCON later this month, is a competitive one, who also hope to prove a point by going all the way in Egypt.
Coach Ladan Bosso has painstakingly assembled a squad, who should make Nigerians proud by both their result and performance.
Such is the fierceness of the competition for first-team places that the central defence combination has yet to be settled, while it is still a battle between Jonathan Nicholas and Samson Lawal, who will start in attacking midfield.
In December, captain Daniel Bamaiyi combined with Benjamin Frederick in the heart of the back four, but he has since paired both Michael Ologo and Abel Ogwuche as coach Bosso considers the ideal partnership to shield goalkeeper Nathaniel Nwosu.
Caleb Ochedikwu from Mavlon could also have a say on the defensive midfield combination of Daniel Daga and Onuche Ogbelu.
His performances in recent days have caught the eye, but could this be coming a little late?
Ibrahim Mohammed ‘Ibeji’, who was the team’s best player at the qualifiers in May 2022, will also have to step up his game if he hopes to keep on the bench arguably the most talented player of this team – Jude Sunday.
The full squad:
GOALKEEPERS: Nathaniel Nwosu (Water FC), Chijioke Anigboso (Giant Brillars), Saheed Akanbi (Adoration FC).
DEFENDERS: Daniel Bamaiyi (YumYum FC), Michael Ologo ( Istanbulspor), Abel Ogwuche ( Trelleborgs FF), Solomon Agbalaka (Broad City), Augustine Njoku (Abia Warriors), Benjamin Frederick (Nasarawa United).
MIDFIELDERS: Daniel Daga (Dakkada FC), Onuche Ogbelu (Nasarawa United), Musa Usman, Mohammed Aminu (Mailantarki FC), Jonathan Nicholas (Simoiben FC), Shatima Umar( Mahaniam FC), Caleb Ochedikwu (Mavlon FC), Samson Lawal (Unattached).
FORWARDS: Jude Sunday (Realsaphier FC), Francis Ayuba (Nasarawa United), Adams Olamilekan (Remo Stars), Ahmed Abdullahi (Gent), Haliru Sarki (Maikunkele FC), Emmanuel Uchegbu (Plateau United), Ibrahim Mohammed (Mavlon FC), Kingsley James (Unattached).
