By Victor Kanayo
Up to 26 upcoming players made the list of Nigerians, who will be available for selection when the 2023 U17 Africa Cup of Nations gets underway in Algeria later this week.
The list released by the Nigeria Football Federation, (NFF) includes, mainly kids at various academies within the country.
The listed players are; Richard Odoh (HB Football Academy), Yahaya Danjuma Lawali (Mahanaim FC), Emmanuel Michael (Simon Ben Football Academy), Haruna Abdullahi (Kurfi Tigers Academy), Tochukwu Joseph Ogboji (Purple Crown Academy), Jeremiah Oluwaseyi Olaleke (Ablaze Football Academy),
Also, Umar Abubakar (Devine Football Academy), Abubakar Idris Abdullahi (Jega United), Precious Tonye Williams (HB Football Academy), Ifeoluwa Adewale Olowoporoku (Triple 44 Academy) Charles Adah Agada (Mavlon FC).
Others are; Hope Yusuf Linus (E.E. Sporting Club), Jubril Opeyemi Azeez (Right Vision Choice Academy), Anongu Isaac Aondoakaa (FC Bathel Sporting), Israel Nwachukwu Usulor (Real Sapphire FC), Temiloluwa Oluwayimika Adelakin (Box2Box Academy), Simon Karshe Cletus (Mavlon FC), Tochukwu Simeon Ogbadibo (Jossy United), Light Chijioke Eke (C&C Football Academy), Favour Oluwasegun Daniel (G12 Football Academy), Chijioke Julius Linus (Triple 44 Academy), Quadri Oluwatobiloba Adewale (Nathaniel Boys FC), Gift Ukeh Adie (Paul E Football Academy), Musa Oluwaseyi Akinfenwa (Real Sapphire FC), Usman Ajibola Owoyemi (Triple 44 Academy) and Matthew Awodi Kingsley (Brook House Academy).
The team left Nigeria on Sunday and arrived Algiers, Algeria’s capital on Monday morning, where they are expected to carry out the compulsory MRI test.
Later on, they would move to Constantine, Algeria’s cosmopolitan city for few days of final training schedule ahead of their opening match against Zambia at the 22,000 -capacity Stade Mohamed Hamlaoui.
They will battle Morocco and South Africa in the other group B subsequent fixtures, according to draws by the organisers.
The top four-placed teams in Algeria will qualify to represent Africa at the FIFA U17 World Cup finals later this year.
Nigeria is five-time world champions and most successful team at the competition.
