As Nigeria await the final 23 man squad of the Nigeria U17 team for the 2019 World Youth Championship which will take place in Brazil Owngoalnigeria.com takes a look at the Manu Garba led team.
Goalkeepers : The three goalkeepers picked by the coach really doesn’t inspire confidence in the technical crew. Their best player use to be John Ikedinachukwu Amah, the number one at the WAFU U17 Championship where they emerged champions but since failing the age test ( MRI), the team has struggled to replace him. The coaches have settled for what is available on the basis of the desirable not been available. For now Bournemouth goalkeeper Joseph Oluwabusola and Sunday Stephen have shared the duties in the last two of the friendly games they have played in their camp in Brazil.
Goalkeepers : Sunday Stephen, Joseph Oluwabusola , Daniel Jinadu
Defenders: Blessed with attacking fullbacks in Ogaga Oduko from the left and Shedrack Tanko on the right, the team has issues in central defence with the duo of Usman Ibrahim and Clement Ikenna struggling to form a formidable partnership. That has resulted in the inability of the team to keep clean sheets. Manu Garba told this portal that defence is his other worry bar the goalkeeping department.
Defenders : Charles Etim, Ogaga Oduko, Usman Ibrahim, Clement Ikenna, Shedrack Tanko, Quadri Edun, Oluwatimilehin Adeniyi, Simon Omon
Midfielders: Here lies the strength of this team. From team captain Samson Tijani to deep lying midfielder Mayowa Abayomi the team has potentials. Ibraheem Jabaar can score from range, Akinkunmi Amoo can create something out of nothing while Peter Agba is never tired of running. Special attention will be on Tijani who is already on the radar of top teams in Belgium.
Midfield Options: Samson Tijani, Akinkunmi Amoo, Daniel Francis, Ibraheem Jabaar, Ibrahim Sa’id, Monsuru Opeyemi, Fawaz Abdullahi, Idris Eletu-Odibo, Malcolm Ebowei, Peter Agba.
Attack Options – Wisdom Ubani won the love of scouts at the Africa U17 Cup of Nations with his all action style and ability from set piece, his form has however dropped since the end of the tournament, no thanks to injury and fitness issues. In his absence Divine Nwachukwu has stepped up but the fact that he misses two many chances has placed the burden of goal scoring on the shoulder of Kunle Olusegun who plays just behind the main striker but has scored five of their last seven goals ahead of the start of the tournament.
Forwards : Olakunle Olusegun, Wisdom Ubani, Divine Nwachukwu, Mayowa Abayomi.
