Golden Eaglets head coach Emmanuel Amuneke has named a 21-man squad for the 16th FIFA U-17 World Cup to be hosted in Chile between October 17 and November 8.
Speaking to thenff.com, Amuneke described his list as very exciting and was confident the players would fly the country’s flag very well in Chile.
“The World Cup is here and we have picked the best players for this assignment to represent our country,” said the former African Footballer of the Year.
“We have brought in new players to add value to the team that secured the ticket for Chile at the last African U-17 Nations Cup in Niger Republic and we believe this crop of players would give their best in Chile, as we are the defending champions.”
Team captain Kelechi Nwakali, as well as strikers Victor Osimhen and Ebere Osinachi, who were in the team that secured the country’s World Cup ticket at the African U-17 Nations Cup in Niger in February made the final list for the competition Nigeria won in 1985, 1993, 2007 and 2013.
Also picked from the squad that came fourth in Niger 2015 were seven other players including goalkeepers Akpan Udoh and Amos Benjamin, defenders Halilu Lukman and Lazarus John, midfielder Kingsley Michael and strikers Orji Okonkwo and Samuel Chukwueze.
Midfielder Chinedu Madueke and Sunday Alimi as well as goalkeeper Chisom Chiaha who failed to make the Niger 2015 squad were also picked for Chile 2015.
New faces in the team are defenders David Enogela, Ibe Tobechukwu and Ejike Ikwu. Funsho Bamgboye, Chukwudi Agor, Joel Osikel, Edidiong Essien and Udochukwu Anumudu complete the list.
The Golden Eaglets would have the honour of playing the opening match of the FIFA U-17 World Cup against the United States of America on October 17 at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanosin Santiago.
The Eaglets’ other Group A matches against host Chile and Croatia would be played on October 20 and 23 respectively.
Full List
1: Akpan Udoh-Goalkeeper
2: John Lazarus-Defender
3: Tobechukwu Ibe-Defender
4: David Enogela-Midfielder
5: Lukman Zakari-Defender
6: Kingsley Michael-Midfielder
7: Funsho Bamgboye-Forward
8: Samuel Chukwueze-Midfielder
9: Victor Osimhen-Forward
10: Kelechi Nwakali-Midfielder
11: Chinedu Madueke-Midfielder
12: Chukwudi Agor-Midfielder
13: Joel Osikel-Midfielder
14: Ejike Ikwu-Defender
15: Udochukwu Anumudu-Forward
16: Amos Benjamin-Goalkeeper
17: Osinachi Ebere-Forward
18: Edidiong Essien-Midfielder
19: Sunday Alimi-Forward
20: Orji Okwonkwo-Forward
21: Chisom Chiaha-Goalkeeper
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