Nigeria Players Abroad
Golden Eaglets call up 62 players for WAFU B U-17 Championship preparations
Golden Eaglets head coach Uwejamomere Eboboritse has invited 62 players to a training camp in Abuja as Nigeria begin preparations for the WAFU B U-17 Championship, which will be played in October.
The selected players have been asked to report in August, with Eboboritse and his assistants Kalli Mohammed Kachalla and Abdullahi Isa set to oversee the screening and training programme.
The squad announcement is the first major step in Nigeria’s attempt to assemble a team capable of competing for the regional title and progressing towards another successful global campaign. Nigeria have won the FIFA U-17 World Cup five times.
The list announced by the coaching staff comprises five goalkeepers, 18 defenders, 20 midfielders and 19 forwards.
Golden Eaglets squad
Goalkeepers: Emmanuel Dada (Beyond Limits FA); Enabodje Jackson Akpobome (Dosu Joseph FA); Mutiu Adenle Adedayo (Seamoriow FA); Usama Salisu (Ranchers Bees FC); Johnny Kelvin (KMK Football Academy).
Defenders: Daniel Agunzi (Imperial FA); Michael Ogwuche (Triple 44 Academy); Chinedu Destiny (Supreme Kings FC); Isa Jamiu (Inspire FA); Ifechukwu Nweke (Benin City Sports Academy); Nabil Shehu (Sports Supply FA); Augustine David (Right2Win FA); Abdullahi Muhammad (Ahzuba FC); Auwal Fahad (Derby FA); Ahuchaogu Chinenye Goodluck (Supreme Kings FC); Chinedu Nchoje (Gbagada FC); Ekwueme Chidubem (Giant Brillars FC); Tochukwu Muoneme (Rangers International FC); Eke Kingsley (Supreme Kings FC); Mubarak Dayyatu (Mahanaim FC); Abdulrazak Ibrahim (Breakthrough FA); Davidson Chukwuemeka (Golden Generation FA); Isah Kasim Ladan (Mavlon FC 24); Hussaini Saeed (AS Roma Academy).
Midfielders: Paul Emmanuel Akpan (Solo Wanderers FC); Goodness Ukwubile (Turf Arena FA); Japhet Vincent (Mees Palace FA); Chinedu Divine Mbachu (Sporting Lagos); Sochima Joshua Emeka (Multilife Saver FC); Anifowose Faruq Olayanju (Jaguar Sports FA); Mansur Sanusi (Beyond Limits FA); Adegbola Alameen Oladimeji (Stormers FC); Abdullahi Jamiu Afolabi (Smart City FC); Salisu Abdulsamad (B Angel FA); Oluwole Akinyele (Breeding Professionals FA); Abubakar Fuhaad (Stormers FC); Abdulrazak Abubakar (Simoiben Academy); Michael Ekundayo (Vinod Academy); Otugo Akachukwu (P. Sports FA); Abdulmalik Babatunde (Adoration Football Academy); Nwobodo Chinoso (Mavlon FC); Abdulsalam Fuhad (Cart FC Academy); Benedict Samuel (Ikon Allah Football Academy); Benjamin Benedict Boloni (Dreamline Football Academy).
Forwards: Barnabas Chichi (Transformers FA); Ayinde Basit (Ikorodu City FA); Igboenobe Columbus (Forster FA); Yusuf Isa Alo (Footwork FA); Raheem Lateef (Inspire FA); Abuchi Lawrence (Sporting Lagos); Abas Sani (Kubarachi FC); Israel Asuquo Ayo (Kon Academy); Usoro Godswill (Sporting Supreme FC); Usman Kachalla (Desert Fox FC); Muhammad Auwal (Kano Pillars FC); Mahmud Ahmed (Beyond Limits FA); Anreki Peter Samuel (Strikers Hub FA); Fasiu Mubarak (Sporting Supreme FC); Abdullahi Suleiman Ibrahim (Ikon Allah Football Academy); Shaibu Umar Faruk (Palmville College Lagos); Bello Ibrahim (Palmville College Lagos); Aliyu Abah Muhammed (Lobi Stars Feeders).
The timing of the camp has prompted criticism, with the entire preparation period running from August into the October tournament. One comment questioned whether the coaching team would have enough time to assess the players, arrange friendly matches, establish its playing philosophy and develop understanding within the squad.
“This is U-17 players we are talking about not professionals for crying out loud. I just tire for this country.”
The Golden Eaglets had also begun a China invitational tournament with a defeat by Tanzania, according to the related report referenced alongside the squad announcement.
