34 Of 35 Spots Filled For Flying Eagles

Barring any last minute additions or subtractions, SL10.ng can reveal that 34 players are already shortlisted by Coach Manu Garba as part of his 35-man preliminary Under-20 World Cup list.

 

One spot is yet to be filled up but unexpectedly that position will be filled up before the deadline day of April 1st for the submission of preliminary list by FIFA.

 

Aside the 22 players who went to the Africa Youth Championship and conquered Africa, a further group of 13 players have so far been added to the rooster.

 

As expected the quartet of Musa Yahaya,Isacc Success, Kelechi Iheanacho, Chidebere Nwakali and Wilfred Ndidi were all handed recalls to the team after missing out on the Africa Youth Championship.

 

Enyimba International midfielder, Bobby Sokari, who was with the team during the first phrase of camping before getting injured was given a second chance to make an impression in camp ahead of the World Cup.

 

Belgium super teen Moses Simon, who recently made his debut for the Super Eagles, was also called up with Wikki Tourist new signing Billy Auta handed a recall.

 

Third choice goalkeeper of the last Nigeria Under-17 team Adamu Abubakar dropped before the Africa youth championship was called up to battle the trio of Joshua Enaholo, Dele Alampasu and Leke Ojo for the goalkeeper's role.

 

Surprise names in the list includes Bashir Monsur, Adebayo Ademiloye and Ikechukwu Gabriel, however all three players have been part of the team at different intervals during qualifiers.

 

Bar Moses Simon all players in the 34-man list drafted so far have all been with the team, as Manu Garba believes in working with group of players who are already familiar with his team style of play.

 

The coach's philosophy has made it hard for players outside his preferred choice no matter how talented to break into the team.