The Nigeria Football Federation have disclosed that the U-23 team ,known also as Dream Team V11 are off to Bergandan, Tunisia for the first leg of their U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya billed for Wednesday.
Blueprint Sport gathered that 15 players and their officials left the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Monday morning for the all important match.
They will be joined by eight other overseas-based professionals for the match. The pros will join the team from their various base
Apart from the technical crew of the U-23 team, our correspondent learnt that some NFF secretariat staff and board members were also part of the delegation to oversee the team in the North Africa country.
“0ur Dream Team VII have left for Bergandan, Tunis for the first leg U-23 Afcon qualifier versus Libya U-23. The game is scheduled for Wednesday 20th March, 2019. Goodluck to them. #SoarDreamTeamVII #Team9jaStrong #TotalU23Afcon,” reads a Tweet on the official Twitter handle of the Nigeria Football Federation.
Head coach of the team, Imama Amapakabo picked 12 home-based players and 11 professionals for the game.
Lobi Stars trio of Udochukwu Anumudu, Ebube Duru and John Lazarus top the list of domestic players which also include MFM’S defender, Joshua Akapde and Stephen Manyo of Enyimba.
Turkey-based Azubuike Okechukwu, Villarreal’s Samuel Chukwueze , Taiwo Awoniyi who plays for Royal Excel Mouscron of Belgium, Club Brugge winger Emmanuel Bonaventure Dennis and Spezia forward David Okereke are some of the overseas-based players in the list.
Libya are still unable to play international matches at home due to the after-effects of the ArabSpring political turmoil that began in 2011.
The reverse fixture will come up at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba on Tuesday March 26.
The U-23 Eagles are the defending champions of the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations.
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.
The U-23 Eagles Full Squad Vs Libya
Goalkeepers: Adamu Abubakar, Olawale Oremade, Galadima Mohammed
Defenders: Joshua Oghene Akpade, Udochukwu Anumudu, Stephen Manyo, Ebube Duru, Ojo Adebayo, John Lazarus, Etiboy Akpan
Midfielders: Azubuike Okechukwu, Olatunji Oluwadare, Fatai Adebowale, Kelechi Nwakali, Kingsley Michael, Tosin Kehinde, Bonaventure Dennis
Forwards: Olabiran Blessing Muyiwa, Samuel Chukwueze, Orji Okonkwo, Chidera Ezeh, Taiwo Awoniyi, David Okereke
