Caykur Rizespor of Turkey midfielder Azubuike Okechukwu has been reappointed captain of the U-23 Eagles, Completesports.com reports.
Okechukwu, who is on loan at Rizespor from Egyptian Premier League club Pyramids, captained the U-23 Eagles at the last U-23 Africa Cup of Nations four years ago in Senegal.
The former Bayelsa United midfielder was however relieved of his duties at the Rio 2O16 Olympic Games with John Mikel Obi assuming the role.
Former Golden Eaglets captain Kelechi Nwakali who is on loan at Porto B from Arsenal has also been named the vice-captain of the team.
Also Read: Full House In Asaba As Super Eagles Begin Preparation For Seychelles, Egypt Games
The U-23 Eagles will take on Libya in the first leg of their U-23 AFCON qualifying fixture tomorrow (Wednesday) at the Ben Guerdane Stadium, Tunisia.
The reverse fixture will come up next week Mondays at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba
CAF has appointed Ghanaian officials to take charge of proceedings, with Daniel Laryea as referee. Acheampong Brobbey is the assistant referee 1 while Emmanuel Allou is assistant referee 2 and Adaar Abdul Latif is the fourth official.
Nigeria won the last edition of the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations held for the second time in Senegal four years ago following a 2-1 win over Algeria at the Stade Leopold Sedar Senghor in Dakar.
Africa’s flag-bearers in the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament of Tokyo 2020 will emerge during the 3rd U-23 Africa Cup of Nations to hold in Egypt in November this year.
By Adeboye Amosu
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COMMENTS
Good move, Zubbistically speaking. Our midfield is in good hands.
Can someone explain to me the rationale for selecting the captain and the vice-captain. Even, a player that is not a regular at a B-team is considered.
Azubuike Okechukwu was the captain of the team 4 years ago so the coach is maintaining that sequence.
Apparently,he is having a fabulous season in Europe,his experience of leadership is needed in the current team.
However,his compatriot Nwakali is not having a great season but has in the past captained a world cup winning side and our flying eagles class of 2017.His leadership qualities is a great asset to the team besides he is originally a player of Arsenal and his performances in the second phase of the Portuguese lower league has improved.
Having said that,captaincy is not a permanent position so a non performing captain can be removed and replaced by another member of the team who is more suited to assume that position.
I am laughing in Swahili, kukurukuuuu
Thanks for the explanation. Your suggestion of mataining a sequence is clear, however, the part of having a fabulous season is hard for me to agree with. Considering the fact that he just moved to his new club during Jan.window. Nwakali has not done much to deserve such position. This is not right
When does where or how players play their club football dictate their suitability for their national team captaincy….??? Even if he’s playing Sunday morning football, a leader is a leader. It all about the leadership qualities. Even clubless players have at some point captained their national teams.
**maintaining**
Hello brothers I just saw this Nigeria guy playing in real Zaragoza now his name is James igbekeme he plays like essien please let’s encourage Rohr to give him a chance the guy is a fighter and a natural left footer which is not common these . Please check him on YouTube
Igbekeme in a recent interview said Rohr contacted him and promised to invite him for one of the friendlies before the Afcon begins. So the dude is already on Rohr’s radar. He’s a good player, for sure. Left footed, energetic. Reminds me of Joel Obi in his hey day. His main position is in midfield, but he can put in a decent shift as a left wing back as well.
Why not try him in the present U23 first before considering him in SE squad.
Eureka.
He was born in 1995, so he is ineligible for U23. He can only be considered if they qualify for the Olympics as one of the three overaged players.
I just saw this lad highlights. This is Jay Jay Okocha in a making. He deserve to be part of the SE. However, Imama should also use him as the case of Chukwueze.