FC Ifeanyiubah goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa, coming off an important World Cup qualification assignment has been invited to lead Nigeria’s home-based selection to Ghana for the forth-coming West African Football Union (WAFU cup).
Ezenwa who conceded once in his two appearances against African Champions Cameroon is joined by Plateau United goalkeeper Dele Ajiboye as the two goal keepers in the 18-man team.
The Nigerian side that qualified for next year’s African Nations Championships has been robbed the participation of three key players who joined foreign clubs after the team beat Benin in Kano.
League joint-topscorer Stephen Odey has joined Swiss side FC Zurich, star midfielder Alhassan Ibrahim teamed up with Austrian top side Austria Wien while defender Orji Kalu moved to Albania.
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In their stead, Super Eagles B coach Salisu Yusuf has invited Lobi Stars’ Anthony Okpotu and Akwa United’s Gabriel Okechukwu in attack, Okechukwu’s call-up coming two years after his invitation by Stephen Keshi caused uproar among Nigerians.
FC Ifeanyiubah’s Olamilekan Aniyikaye is called up to shore up the defence while Plateau United full back Daniel Itodo received a reward for his consistency with a call up and Akwa United’s Friday Ubong joins four of his teammates on the train.
Nigeria will play Sierra Leone in the first round of the tournament (which is a knock –out), before eight teams will emerge for a group phase competition. The competition takes place 9th – 24th September.
In the same Group A that has Nigeria, hosts Ghana will play The Gambia, Mali are up against Mauritania and Guinea Bissau will clash with Guinea.
The Roster
Goalkeepers: Ikechukwu Ezenwa (FC IfeanyiUbah); Dele Ajiboye (Plateau United)
Defenders: Stephen Eze (FC IfeanyiUbah); Emmanuel Ariwachukwu (Akwa United); Chima Akas (Enyimba FC); Osas Okoro (Rangers International); Adeleye Olamilekan (FC IfeanyiUbah); Daniel James (Plateau United)
Midfielders: Afeez Aremu (Akwa United); Ifeanyi Ifeanyi (Akwa United); Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars); Samuel Mathias (El-Kanemi Warriors); Destiny Ashadi (Katsina United)
Forwards: Gabriel Okechukwu (Akwa United); Kingsley Eduwo (Lobi Stars); Peter Eneji (Plateau United); Ubong Friday (Akwa United); Anthony Okpotu (Lobi Stars)
2017 WAFU CUP OF NATIONS
GROUP A (Takoradi)
Ghana Vs The Gambia
Nigeria Vs Sierra Leone
Mali Vs Mauritania
Guinea Vs Guinea Bissau
GROUP B (Cape Coast)
Senegal Vs Liberia
Burkina Faso Vs Niger Republic
Cote d’Ivoire Vs Togo
Benin Republic Vs Cape Verde
