The head coach of the Nigeria U23 team Salisu Yusuf is hardly far aways from controversies and his recent list of players invited to the Nigeria U23 camp for the AFCON qualifiers against Guinea is another case study.
Yusuf has once again showed he has little or no knowledge of most players invited to the team and it’s not the first time he is doing this. In his present list at least seven players are well above the age limit. This same mistake he did when he first called up players to the team for the game against Tanzania.
Ahead of the March 22nd game, we take a look at the players he has called up for the game and how he made a mess of what should have been a simple job. Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman takes a look at the invited players.
ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS:
Goalkeepers: John Amah (Sunshine Stars); Nurudeen Badmus (Dakkada FC); Ifeanyi Nchekwube (Akwa United); Oriya Joseph (Lobi Stars)
OGN – A very hilarious pick. This season only Badmus has tasted action in the NPFL this season. The trio of Joseph, Nchekwube and Amah are third choice at their respective teams. Even Badmus has only kept goal in two games this season. How about the fact that three of the four listed might be above the age limit.
Defenders: Christopher Nwaeze (Plateau United); Desmond Ojietefian (Shooting Stars); Okechukwu Chikason (Enyimba FC); Anthony Anieke (Akwa United); Samuel Olamilekan (Niger Tornadoes); Benjamin Tanimu (Bendel Insurance); Evans Ogbonda (Port Harcourt City); Umar Ahmed Farouk (Gombe United)
OGN- The duo of Chikason and Olamilekan are yet to play any games this season per our records. The same as Desmond of Shooting Stars. Then there is also doubts over the age of Nwaeze and if he is eligible to play for the team. Unless if there is a mix up else there is no way Anieke of Akwa United will be U23 as he was at Bussdor in 2016. Hopefully it isn’t the same player.
Midfielders: Daniel Wotlai (Abia Warriors); Akanni Qudus (Remo Stars); Auwalu Naziru (Rangers Int’l); Chibuike Nwaiwu (Enyimba FC); Divine Nwachukwu (Bendel Insurance); Taofeek Malomo (Shooting Stars); Samuel Chisom (Kwara United); Samaila Sarki (Bendel Insurance); Kumaga Suur (Lobi Stars); Inye Green (Ibani United).
OGN- Aside from the inclusion of Green from unknown league side Ibani United. Every other player in the list merits a spot in the team. All the players listed can be said to be within the age limit to represent the team. However Malomo has an outstanding issue of age discrepancies while with the U20s. Unless that is sorted then there is no way he can be said to be eligible for this team.
Forwards: Munir Idris (Niger Tornadoes); Ahmed Jimoh (Kwara United); Ezekiel Edidiong (Remo Stars); Ifeanyi Ogba (Akwa United); Umar Ibrahim (El-Kanemi Warriors); Alkasin Deji Yusuf (Dakkada FC); Mojereola Suleiman (Sunshine Stars); Akile Monday (Lobi Stars.
OGN- Suleiman hasn’t played a game this season at Sunshine Stars. Ibrahim Umar is another mysterious name in the list with no appearance tied to his name this season in the NPFL. None of the players called up to lead the attack of the team has three goals this season.
