Flying Eagles coach Paul Aigbogun has named a strong 21-squad for the 2019 U20 World Cup in Poland, with the name of Villarreal forward Samuel Chukwueze missing.
Captain Ikouwen Udoh, goalkeeper Olawale Oremade, defender Valentine Ozornwafor, midfielder Kingsley Michael and forward Henry Offia made the list, but attackers Samuel Chukwueze, Adamu Alhassan and Yahaya Nazifi were left out.
Aigbogun unveiled the list in a dinner with the players at their training camp in Germany.
The newly selected team will play a friendly match against Red Bull Salzburg today and Red Bull Leipzig on Friday, before flying out to Tychy, Poland on Sunday.
Nigeria will contest Group D of the biennial tournament alongside Qatar, Ukraine and the United States – with their first game against Qatar on May 24.
The seven-time African champions are hoping to win their first U20 World Cup after finishing as runners-up in 1989 and 2005. They also got a bronze medal in Old Soviet Union (USSR) when they defeated the host country on penalties 34 years ago.
SQUAD IN FULL
Goalkeepers: Detan Ogundare (Kogi United); Olawale Oremade (Kwara United; Jonathan Zaccala (Triestina FC, Italy)
Defenders: Valentine Ozornwafor (Enyimba FC); Aliu Salawudeen (Amuneke Academy); Igoh Ogbu (Rosenborg BK, Norway); Ikouwem Utin (Enyimba FC); Muhammad Rabiu (Plateau United); Jamil Muhammad (Kano Pillars)
Midfielders: Nnamdi Ofoborh (AFC Bournemouth, England); Eletu Peter (Prince Kazeem FC); Ayotomiwa Dele-Bashiru (Manchester City, England); Kingsley Michael (AC Perugia, Italy); Effiom Maxwell (Enyimba FC); Aniekeme Okon (Akwa United); Collins Sor (Oasis FC)
Forwards: Jerome Adams (Sogndal IL, Norway); Tijani Muhammed (FC Banik Ostrava, Czech Republic); Henry Offia (IK Sirius Uppsala, Sweden); Chinonso Emeka (Club Brookhouse, England); Success Makanjuola (Water FC)
