Botched Germany trip forces Eaglets to pick Constantine for final build up

Nigeria’s 26-man squad were scheduled to arrive the Algerian city of Constantine, yesterday, to begin their final preparations for this year’s Africa U-17 Cup of Nations.

The team was earlier scheduled to have their final build-up to the competition in Germany, but visa hitches forced the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to send the squad earlier than scheduled to Algeria for the final build-up.

According to the NFF, the team will now start training tomorrow in Constantine, where they will also play their Group B matches against Morocco, Zambia and South Africa.

Coached by Nduka Ugbade, who was Nigeria’s captain in the maiden FIFA Cadet World Cup won by the Eaglets, the current squad is expected to get to at least the semifinals, which will guarantee the country a berth at the World Cup.

“We are going to Algeria with confidence, but with level heads. We’re the champions of WAFU B, but in essence, nothing has been won. What matters now is winning a ticket to the FIFA World Cup and winning the Africa Cup. I believe we have the boys to do the job,” Ugbade told thenff.com before the team left Nigeria yesterday.

The players in the team 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), Umar Abubakar (Devine Football Academy), Abubakar Idris Abdullahi (Jega United) and Precious Tonye Williams (HB Football Academy).

Others are Ifeoluwa Adewale Olowoporoku (Triple 44 Academy), Charles Adah Agada (Mavlon FC), 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) and Light Chijioke Eke (C&C Football Academy).

Also in the squad are 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).