Nigeria’s youth national team, Flying Eagles coach, Paul Aigbogun has boasted that he and his assistant have built a squad that is strong enough to make the country and all of Africa proud at this year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland.
Heading into their opening match of Group, against Qatar, Aigbogun said the squad has been well-molded during their preparation period, which he believes has put them in a good stead to go one better than the silver medals Nigeria won in 1989 and 2005.
He, however, stopped short of disclosing his starting line-up for the match against Qatar, which will be pivotal to his plans of seeing his side storm higher than ever, after Nigeria failed to reach the last edition.
At the competition in 2017, England lined out a squad loaded with six Nigerian-born players and went on to win the title against all odds, but failed to qualify for this year’s edition, for which Nigeria is now lining out several players who switched allegiance only recently.
The list of overseas-born players jostling for shirts in Aigogun’s squad lines up from Triestina of Italy goalkeeper, Jonathan Zacalla, who will battle to upstage the choice for the number one shirt between Detan Ogundare and Olawale Oremade.
None, though appear in the back-four, where Valentine Ozornwafor and Igoh Ogbu are likely to keep their spots in central defence, with captain, Ikouwem Udoh Utin at left back while Jamil Muhammad at right back.
In the midfield, attention will be on the England-based duo of Nnamdi Ofoborh and Ayotomiwa Dele-Bashiru, as well as AC Perugia of Italy’s former junior international, Kingsley Michael.
They will, however, face competition for shirts from home-based Effiom Maxwell and Aniekeme Okon, the latter of who will get the spotlight by donning jersey number 10 in any match he has the opportunity to play.
Up front, Aigbogun has England-based Chinonso Emeka, Norway-based Jerome Adams, Czech Republic-based Tijani Muhammed, Sweden-based Henry Offia and home-based Success Makanjuola vying for spots.
The gaffer, who is also a former handler of Black Aces of South Africa, Warri Wolves of Detla State and Enyimba of Aba, said all his players are aware of the pedigree of Nigeria at the competition’s history, and says they cannot afford to under-perform at Poland 2019.
Aigbogun told thenff.com: “We have a tough history to match. Silver medals on two occasions and bronze medals once, and a number of quarter final appearances.
“That’s why we must start very well, by taking the points against Qatar and then march on with confidence and self assurance.
“We are flying the flag of nearly 200 million Nigerians, as well as that of the African continent.
“We have put a lot of work into building a squad that will make Nigeria and Africa proud.”
