In preparation for their 2023 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations qualifying fixture against Tanzania this month, the Nigeria U-23 team will begin camping in Ibadan today, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced.
According to thenff.com, 32 players have been invited to the camp by Coach Salisu Yusuf, which will later prune the squad down to a final squad, which will depart the country on October 18 for Dar es Salaam.
The first leg of the Olympics’ qualifier will hold in the East African country in the weekend October 21 to 23.
“The team will return to Ibadan to prepare for the return leg match that will hold at the Lekan Salami Stadium on October 29,” thenff.com said.
Among the 32 players expected to camp in Ibadan are four goalkeepers, including Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars); Nathaniel Nwosu (Water FC); Edwin Emelan (Calabar Rovers); and Amah John (Box-To-Box FC).
There are eight defenders in the team, among who are Bamayi Calocho (Yumyum FC); Bello Babatunde (Akwa United); James Ajako (Akwa United); Yazid Adamu (MY Jamil FC); Tosin Adegbite (Enyimba FC); Christopher Nwenze (Plateau United); Isaiah Ejeh (Kwara United) and Anas Hassan (Vandrezzer FC).
Nine midfielders are listed for the Ibadan camp. They are Maurice Chukwu (Rivers United); Uche Ogonna (Campos FC); Haggai Katoh (Plateau United); Olamilekan Adebayo (Remo Stars); Suleiman Abdullahi (Gladano FC); Naziru Awwal (Rangers Int’l); Adam Yakubu (Akwa United); Joshua Alechenu (Nasarawa United); and Suleiman Garba Kirki (Kebbi United).
The 11 forwards in the team are Kalu Samuel (Enyimba FC); Edwin John (Water FC); Chisom Orji (Colins Edwin FC); Chidiebere Nwobodo (Rangers Int’l); Ogbuehi Nzuebuchi (Campos FC); Jerry Alex (Kano Pillars); Mustapha Jibrin (Abia Warriors); Ademola Adebabam (Ottasolo FC); Abdulsalam Abdulasalam (Shooting Stars); Zulkifilu Mohammed (Plateau United); and Jonathan Alukwe (Heartland FC).