26 players have been selected by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to represent the nation at the 2023 Africa Under-17 Cup of Nations in Algeria.
The list was made public on Sunday in Abuja.
According to the media, 16 of the players on the list are from different football academies around the nation, while the remaining 10 are from amateur teams.
The five-time world champion Nigerian team, the Golden Eaglets, will travel to Constantine, Algeria, on Sunday evening to begin their preparations for the match.
According to media sources, the squad had been planning to finish off their preparations in Germany before the tournament, which was due to take place on Saturday, May 19.
“The NFF decided to send the team early to Algeria for the final build-up when difficulties occurred in the process of acquiring entrance visa into Germany for a scheduled final training camp there.
“Constantine, the renowned city where the Eaglets will take on Morocco, Zambia, and South Africa in Group B, is the choice,” Ademola Olajire, NFF Director of Communications, said in a statement on Sunday.
According to news sources, the Nduka Ugbade-led Eaglets brushed all opponents aside to win the WAFU B Under-17 Championship in Cape Coast, Ghana, in June.
Since then, they have shown incredible firepower as part of their preparations for the continental exhibition.
The Eaglets played 12 friendlies at their FIFA Goal Project pitch base in Abuja after returning to practise in mid-March after the break for the national elections.
They drew one game and won 11, with 66 goals scored and 14 goals allowed.
“With optimism but with cool heads, we are heading to Algeria. Although we are the WAFU B champions, nothing has really been accomplished.
“At this point, getting into the FIFA World Cup and winning the Africa Cup are what count. Before the squad left Nigeria on Sunday, Ugbade was reported as stating, “I think we have the lads to accomplish the job.
On April 30, against Zambia, at the 22,000-seat Stade Mohamed Hamlaoui, Nigeria will begin their bid for the title at the 12-team continental tournament.
After that, they will participate in Group B matches against South Africa and Morocco.
The top four teams in Algeria will go to the finals of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup, which will take place later this year.
The 26 players chosen for Algeria 2023 are as follows:
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)
Precious Tonye Williams (HB Football Academy)
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)
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)
Matthew Awodi Kingsley (Brook House Academy).
