Youth national team, Flying Eagles coach, Paul Aigbogun has included three foreign based players in his list of 21 for the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations in Niger Republic, starting on February 2 in Niamey.
Sports247.ng gathered that SonderjyskE of Denmark new arrival, Nazifi Yahaya, Afeez Olalekan Aremu from IK Start in Norway and Igoh Ogbu, a defender from Rosenborg, also in Norway, making the cut along with 18 other lads, who are billed to fly out of Abuja next Tuesday.
Ogbu, who was a part of the under-17 squad, Golden Eaglets in 2016, made the list after impressing Aigbogun and his assistants in training while Aremu, a former player of Akwa United of Uyo, managed to brave an injury that kept him on the sidelines for some days.
They are joined by Yahya, one of Nigeria’s latest additions to the foriegn-based legion, as well as former Germany-based defender, Peter Etim Eletu, who is now listed with Prince Kazeem Football Academy.
Other players in Aigbogun’s list of 21 for Niger 2019 are another former foreign-based player and ex-Eaglets goalkeeper, Akpan David Udoh, who is now unattached, as well as Samuel Mike Zarumma (Plateau United of Jos) and skipper of the side, Ikouwem Udoh Utin from Enyimba of Aba.
The list also has Aliu Salawudeen (Emmanuel Amuneke Academy, Quadri Liameed (36 Lion FC), Ozornwafor Valentine James (Enyimba), Aniekeme Okon (Akwa United), Ibrahim Alhassan (Kano Pillars), Gata Adeshina (Wikki Tourist) and Aliyu ‘Bravo’ Ibrahim (Oasis FC).
Completing the roster are Ogberahwe Solomon (El-Kanemi Warriors), Muhammad Jamil (Kano Pillars), Olawale Gabriel Oremade (Oasis FC), Abubakar Ibrahim ( Plateau United), Victor Boniface (Real Sapphire), Effiom Maxwell Michael (Enyimba) and Ogundare Daetan (Kogi United).
Aigbogun will be expecting much from his skipper, Utin, won silver with the home-based Eagles at the Championship of African Nations (CHAN 2018) in Morocco.
Great expectations will also be on youth prodigy, Nazifi, who recently moved to Denmark, and Maxwell, man-of-the-match in the 4-2 victory over Ghana at the WAFU U20 Cup Tournament in Lome, Togo last month.
“Our delegation is departing Nigeria for Niger Republic on Tuesday next week,” Aigbogun disclosed.
