Sports247.ng can exclusively reports that coach Imama Amapakabo led Under 23 squad made of 12 home based players and 11 foreign professionals have left the shore of Nigeria to Tunisia for Wednesday’s U23 AFCON qualifier clash against Libya.
According to the team offial, sports247.ng reliably gathers that the bulk of the foreign stars will join the team in Tunisia directly from their various bases including Taiwo Awoniyi. Other foreign pros expected to join the fold include:
Turkey-based Azubuike Okechukwu, Samuel Chukwueze from Villarreal, Taiwo Awoniyi of Royal Excel Mouscron, Club Brugge winger Emmanuel Bonaventure Dennis as well as Italy-based David Okereke.
Something unique about this Squad according to Coach Imama Amamakpabo in Lagos on Sunday was that the bulk of the defenders and goal keepers are home based and responded very well to the tactis employed.
MFM FC defender Joshua Akpade, Stephen Manyo from Enyimba, Etiboy Akpan of Akwa United as well as the Lobi Stars trio of Udochukwu Anumudu, Ebube Duru and John Lazarus.
Nigeria U23s Final Squad:
Goalkeepers: Adamu Abubakar, Olawale Oremade, Galadima Mohammed
Defenders: Joshua Oghene Akpade, Udochukwu Anumudu, Stephen Manyo, Ebube Duru, Ojo Adebayo, John Lazarus, Etiboy Akpan
Midfielders: Azubuike Okechukwu, *Olatunji Oluwadare*, Fatai Adebowale, Kelechi Nwakali, Kingsley Michael, Tosin Kehinde, Bonaventure Dennis
Forwards: Olabiran Blessing Muyiwa, Samuel Chukwueze, Orji Okonkwo, Chidera Ezeh, Taiwo Awoniyi, David Okereke
Coach: Imama Amapakabo
Ass:. Fidelis Ilechukwu