Nigeria U-17 trio make CHAN squadNigeria coach Stephen Keshi has included three members of the globe-conquering U-17 team in a provisional 30-man squad for next year’s Orange African Nations Championship (CHAN) in South Africa.
The trio; Kelechi Iheanacho, Golden Ball winner at the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), goalkeeper Dele Alampasu and midfielder Taiwo Awoniyi were the biggest surprises in the squad for Nigeria’s maiden appearance at the tournament designed exclusively for local-based footballers.
The three players were influential as Nigeria beat Mexico 3-0 in the final to win their fourth title at the global cadet championship after 1985, 1993 and 2007.
According to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the invited players will begin camping on December 9 in the capital, Abuja, to begin preparations for the tournament.
The squad is consisted by four goalies, nine defenders, eight defenders and nine attackers; from which the final 23 will be named for the tournament scheduled from 11 January to 1 February, 2014.
Also called up are 2013 Africa Cup of Nations revelation, Sunday Mba, goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim, defender Azubuike Egwuekwe and Ejike Uzoenyi, all members of the Nigeria squad that won the African title earlier in the year. Meanwhile, there are six others on stand-by.
The Super Eagles are housed in Group A alongside hosts South Africa, Mali and Mozambique.
Full squad
Goalkeepers: Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers); Daniel Akpeyi (Heartland); Isah Danladi (Sharks); Dele Alampasu (Abuja Football College)
Defenders: Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves); Ebenezer Odunlami (Sunshine Stars); Benjamin Francis (Heartland); Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars); Bright Esieme (Enyimba FC); Yinka Adedeji (Sharks); Reuben Ogbonnaya (El-Kanemi Warriors); Umar Zango (Kano Pillars); Chibuzor Madu (Enugu Rangers)
Midfielders: Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers); Etebo Oghenekaro (Warri Wolves); Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars); Ogonna Uzochukwu (Enugu Rangers); Achiv Douglas (Lobi Stars); Kelechi Iheanacho (Taiye Academy, Owerri); Mohammed Ajia (Bayelsa United); Christian Pyagbara (Sharks FC)
Forwards: Gambo Muhammad (Kano Pillars); Ifeanyi Ede (Enyimba FC); Nanen Imenger (Lobi Stars); Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers); Ezekiel Mbah (Akwa United); Christian Obiozor (Enugu Rangers); Abubakar Aliyu (Nasarawa United); Gbolahan Salami (3SC); Taiwo Awoniyi (Imperial Academy, Ilorin)
Stand-by: Happy Okuoka (Heartland); Bello Ikeleji (Bendel Insurance); Obinna Nwachukwu (Heartland); Izuegbu Abonima (Enugu Rangers); Paul Ikenna (Sunshine Stars); John Austin Igenepo
Confederation of African Football News
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