Nigeria name under-17 squad

SOURCE: BBC

Nigeria coach John Obuh has gone for a mix of youth and experience in his 21-man squad for the Fifa Under-17 World Cup.

Exciting forward Stanley Okoro from Caf Champions League finalist Heartland and striker Terry Envoh of Mighty Jets top the list of experienced players.

Okoro, a former Insurance of Benin striker, is regarded as the top star for defending champions Nigeria, when they begin their campaign in the opening match of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup against Germany on 24 October.

Obuh also include Olanrewaju Kayode, who is with the Red Bull Academy in Ghana, and Omoh Ojabu, who shone during the training tour of Qatar.

The team is expected back in the country on Friday after a two-week training tour in Qatar ahead of the tournament.

The Golden Eaglets' preparation for the tournament suffered a huge setback in August when the football authorities dropped 15 players from the Under-17 squad after they failed age-tests.

But despite the furore surrounding the team, Coach John Obuh is delighted with his present squad and remains optimistic about their chances.

"We are set to go, definitely, we have enjoyed our stay at Aspire and the facilities are fantastic. I only wish we had come much earlier." Obuh said.

"Having said that, I think we have a team that can deliver. We played three friendly matches in Qatar and scored 21 goals, conceding three.

"However, we are not using those results to judge our readiness. We know we are going to play much stronger teams at the World Cup.

"Our focus is first, on the opening match against Germany on Saturday.

"It is going to be tough but football is about being prepared to play the tough games.

"When the going gets tough, the tough gets going."

Meanwhile, Nigeria Sports Minister Sani Ndanusa has revealed that additional US$5.5million has been approved specifically for health and safety measures during the tournament.

Nigeria Full Squad

Goalkeepers: Danjuma Paul, Amos Izuchukwu, John Felagha

Defenders: Mohammed Aliyu, Fortune Chukwudi, Kenneth Omeruo, Chukwujike Mgbam

Midfielders: Ogenyi Onazi, White George Agwuocha, Abduljelil Ajagun, Obinna Okoro, Deji Joel, Ramon Azeez, Aigbe Oliha

Strikers: Stanley Okoro, Olanrewaju Kayode, Terry Envoh, Omoh Ojabu, Sani Emmanuel, Yusuf Otubanjo, Edafe Egbedi
INVESTORS COMMUNITY