U23 Afcon: Olympic Eagles invitation excites Akwa United and Enyimba stars

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) duo of James Ajako and Samuel Kalu has expressed their happiness with an invitation to the national U-23 team for their 2023 Africa U23 Cup of Nations qualifying fixture against Tanzania this month.

Akwa United left back Ajako and Enyimba forward Kalu were among the 32-player called to camp by coach Salisu Yusuf in Ibadan got the doubleheader against the East African side.

On resuming camp base in the Oyo State capital on Monday, the NPFL duo have shared their excitements and dream after teaming up with national side.

“I am really happy because it’s a good thing to represent your fatherland. It’s a good privilege for me to be part of the team for U-23 Olympic Qualifiers,” Ajako revealed in an interview monitored by Nigeriafootball.ng with Sports Radio, Brila FM this week.

On his part, Kalu said: “It was a good one. I was very happy because my invitation is long overdue. The goal is for the team to qualify. I will bring in my quality and hope to help the team in the possible way I can.”

The 32 players invited to camp by Coach Salisu Yusuf and crew will train in Ibadan until a final squad is selected to depart Nigeria on 18th October for Dar es Salaam, for the first leg match scheduled for the weekend of 21st – 23rd October.

The team will return to Ibadan to prepare for the return leg match that will hold at the Lekan Salami Stadium on Saturday, 29th October.

ALL 32 PLAYERS INVITED TO CAMP:

Goalkeepers: Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars); Nathaniel Nwosu (Water FC); Edwin Emelan (Calabar Rovers); Amah John (Box-To-Box FC)

Defenders: Bamayi Calocho (Yumyum FC); Bello Babatunde (Akwa United); James Ajako (Akwa United); Yazid Adamu (MY Jamil FC); Tosin Adegbite (Enyimba FC); Christopher Nwenze (Plateau United); Isaiah Ejeh (Kwara United); Anas Hassan (Vandrezzer FC)

Midfielders: Maurice Chukwu (Rivers United); Uche Ogonna (Campos FC); Haggai Katoh (Plateau United); Olamilekan Adebayo (Remo Stars); Suleiman Abdullahi (Gladano FC); Naziru Awwal (Rangers Int’l); Adam Yakubu (Akwa United); Joshua Alechenu (Nasarawa United); Suleiman Garba Kirki (Kebbi United)

Forwards: Kalu Samuel (Enyimba FC); Edwin John (Water FC); Chisom Orji (Colins Edwin FC); Chidiebere Nwobodo (Rangers Int’l); Ogbuehi Nzuebuchi (Campos FC); Jerry Alex (Kano Pillars); Mustapha Jibrin (Abia Warriors); Ademola Adebabam (Ottasolo FC); Abdulsalam Abdulasalam (Shooting Stars); Zulkifilu Mohammed (Plateau United); Jonathan Alukwe (Heartland FC)