The Nigeria U20 team departed Nigeria today for a training camp in Morocco from where they will connect a flight to Egypt for the U20 Africa Cup of Nations.
OGN editor in chief, Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman takes a look at the 25 players who made the trip from which 21 will be picked for the tournament. Also how coach of the team Ladan Bosso refused to bow to pressure by excluding some key players on the grounds of age discrepancies.
GOALKEEPERS: Nathaniel Nwosu (Water FC), Chijioke Anigboso (Giant Brillars), Saheed Akanbi (Adoration FC).
Verdict – As many as eight goakeepers turned up for the final phase of camping but the moment Ovie Ejeheri of Arsenal opted against honouring the invitation to be a part of the camp in favor of a loan move to Finnish side SJK Seinajoki, it became clear that the above mentioned trio will be the chosen ones.
However while Nwosu holds the title of first choice, his performance against Zambia in a 4-2 win plus the decision to hand Chijioke Anigboso the role of one of the vice captains means his spot isn’t assured.
DEFENDERS: Daniel Bamaiyi (YumYum FC), Michael Ologo (İstanbulspor ), Abel Ogwuche ( Trelleborgs FF), Solomon Agbalaka (Broad City), Augustine Njoku (Abia Warriors), Benjamin Frederick (Nasarawa United).
Verdict: One of the centre backs will have to make way when the final list of 21 players is made official. For now the understanding showed by Fredrick when he paired Bamaiyi in the second half of the 4-2 win over Zambia puts him in strong position to make the team at the expense of one of the foreign based players.
MIDFIELDERS: Daniel Daga (Dakkada FC), Onuche Ogbelu (Nasarawa United), Musa Usman, Mohammed Aminu ( Mailantarki FC), Jonathan Nicholas (Simoiben FC), Shatima Umar( Mahaniam FC), Caleb Ochedikwu (Mavlon FC), Samson Lawal (Unattached).
Verdict: The duo of Daga and Ogbule pick themselves as starters while Jonathan has the ball distribution and final pass that makes him standout from the rest. Lawal has goals in him and also the trust of the coaches. Tight call but whoever makes the cut will no doubt make the nation proud.
FORWARDS: Jude Sunday (Real Sapphire FC), Francis Ayuba (Nasarawa United), Adams Olamilekan (Remo Stars), Ahmed Abdullahi (Gent), Haliru Sarki (Maikunkele FC), Emmanuel Uchegbu (Plateau United), Ibrahim Mohammed (Mavlon FC), Kingsley James (Unattached).
Verdict: I am made to understand that two players will be dropped from the above department but for now Sarki, Abdullahi, Sunday, Olamilekan,Uchegbu are sure bet. Leaving the remaining trio to battle for two slots.
Overall Verdict: An 8/10 list by my assessment. It could have been higher but for the inclusion of Ahmed Abdullahi who wasn’t a part of the camping exercise from where I pick my ratings.
One major thing that stood out for me is the decision of the coach to leave out six players who were among the most outstanding in camp , the moment it was discovered that they had dual passports or have discrepancies in their documents. A brave move that many didn’t see coming.
