U-23 Eagles Off To Omdurman For AFCON Qualifier Vs Sudan
The U-23 Eagles on Tuesday left the shores of the country for Omdurman ahead of Friday’s Africa U-23 Cup of Nations, final round, qualifying fixture against hosts, Sudan, reports Completesports.com.
18 players and their officials left the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja on Tuesday afternoon for the game.
“Our U23 Eagles have departed for Omdurman ahead of their first leg final round #AfconU23Q against Sudan. Goodluck to them. #U23Eagles #SUDNGA,”reads a tweet on the official Twitter handle of the Nigeria Football Federation.
Foreign-based quartet, Azubuike Okechukwu, Stephen Odey, Taiwo Awoniyi and Sunday Faleye were among the players that make the trip.
The return leg match will be played at the Stephen Keshi Stadium,Asaba on September 9 with the overall winners advancing to the U23 AFCON in Egypt in November.
The tournament proper will serve as the qualifying competition for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
THE FULL SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Abubakar Adamu, Agbor Ekoi
Defenders: Nda Olisa, Stephen Manyo, John Lazarus, Ebube Duru, Collins Ogbodo, Etboy Akpan
Midfielders: Okechukwu Azubuike, Fatai Gbadamosi, Ndifreke Effiong, Onyeka Ogochukwu
Forwards: Sunday Adetunji, Taiwo Awoniyi, Sunusi Ibrahim, Sunday Faleye, Muyiwa Olabiran, Stephen Odey
By Adeboye Amosu
9 Comments
Wishing them goodluck
Why are kitted like a Ghanaian team?
What happened to the GREEN-WHITE-GREEN?
Whoever kitted this team is so INSENSITIVE!
Very interesting that the quartet of Kelechi Nwakali, Kingsley Michael, Dennis Bonaventure and David Okereke have been dropped and replaced with Frank Onyeka, Sunday Faleye and Stephen Odey.
Just like in the previous round, one gets the sense that the big guns could be called upon if this infantry fail to get the desired result in Sudan.
But, must it be so? Why don’t they do it the other way around: go all out for broke in the first leg and then perhaps take it a bit easier in the second (with qualification all but guaranteed).
Oh well, I think the squad in the article above should be capable of getting the right results in Omdurman.
If not, we may well see the likes of Chukwueze, Uzoho, Osimhen and Ozornwafor, Utin and Ozornwafor recalled for the second leg.
Now, that will be a spectacle!
This Sudan again? And the management are gambling with the squad, hmmm i thought by now Nigeria should be scary of the Sudanesse.
It’s just appears, we are not serious with Olympics men Football participation. Comparing the quality of squad that bonfere Jo took to Atlanta that had to dig really deep to win it and also the quality of squad Samson Siasia took that found it hard to win despite the quality on parade, just makes one start to pray for MIRACLE.
All that is expected of this team is a draw, but even if they loose, Osimhen, Chukweze,, Uzoho, Awazie etc will come to the rescue.
We need our top players for the main tournament in Egypt and in Japan.
Because we got rescued last time against Libya by mercenaries,is not guaranteed to happen all the time.
Looking at the list,its hard to explain why the likes of Bonaventure and co who shown like a million stars against the Libyans was left out.I was thinking Okereke was not invited by Rohr because of the Sudan assignment but was astonished when the Sudan list was open to the press to find his name conspicuously missing!Imama should explain to Nigerians the rationale for picking this weak squad i’m seeing here should Nigeria fail to qualify.
The days of thinking you will run over opponents due to pedigree is far gone.The likes of Sudan will be well prepared with their best players withing that age category.Whereas,we are making ours weaker by inviting though good players but not the best we have at this level,more like the B team.I cant understand why we should go for second best when the best are open to invitation.
I hope this team comes up with a surprise and give us a resounding victory,i will be surprised though if that happens.
For over a month Ive drawn the attention of all to this game on this platform . How nff officers lack foresight of what might likely payout concerning this game. Sudanese will play to win at all cost. If it involves using their national team but nff men maybe because they don’t know history of Olympic football qualification are thinking is just any other game to be won easily. It has never been easily to qualify ooo. Ask eguavoen. Siasia . Or bonfere jo.u use ur best legs .to get it. For now I pray o . But on paper Sudan will get this one.