Head coach of Nigeria U23 team and incumbent head of the home based Super Eagles, Imama Amapakabo has named twenty players for this weekend’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2020 qualifier against Togo.
Amapakabo was the assistant coach when Nigeria reached the final of the last edition where they were annihilated by hosts Morocco but he has been placed in temporal charge in the absence of Salisu Yusuf who just finished a suspension term.
The former Rangers coach has not called up any player from his former club but has kept faith with many of his U23 squad which beat Sudan last week.
Impressive centre back Olisa Ndah and Akwa United’s utility star Ndifreke Effiong, scorer of two goals against the Sudanese top the list of invited players.
Last season’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) joint topscorer Mfon Udoh is also in the squad but his contemporary, Sunusi Ibrahim is left out.
The delegation will fly out of Abuja on Friday to Lome, where they will face the Sparrow Hawks at the Stade de Kegue in the first leg final round game as from 4pm on Sunday.
The second leg holds next month in Nigeria with winner over both legs qualifying for next year’s tournament in Cameroon.
The Squad
Goalkeepers:
Theophilus Afelokhai (Enyimba FC); Adamu Abubakar (Wikki Tourists); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Heartland FC)
Defenders:
Olisah Ndah (Remo Stars); Denis Okon Nya (Akwa United); Stephen Manyo (Enyimba FC); John Lazarus (Lobi Stars); Etboy Akpan (Akwa United); Ebube Duru (Lobi Stars);
Midfielders:
Oluwadamilare Olatunji (Enyimba FC); Fatai Gbadamosi (Shooting Stars); Ndifreke Effiong (Akwa United); Seth Mayi (Remo Stars); William Ukeme (Wikki Tourists); Samuel Matthias (Akwa United);
Attackers:
Chisom Orji (Collin Edwin Academy); Mfon Udoh (Akwa United); Reuben Bala (Enyimba FC); Tosin Omoyele (Plateau United); Sikiru Alimi (Lobi Stars).
