Amuneke picks Nwakali, Osimhen for U-17 World Cup

Nigeria’s U-17 coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, has selected the 21 players who will represent Nigeria at the 16th FIFA U-17 World Cup to be hosted in Chile between October 17 and November 8.

Team captain Kelechi Nwakali, as well as strikers Victor Osimhen and Ebere Osinachi, who were in the team that secured the country’s World Cup ticket at the African U-17 Nations Cup in Niger in February, made the final list for the competition Nigeria won in 1985, 1993, 2007 and 2013.

Also picked from the squad that came fourth in Niger are seven other players including goalkeepers Akpan Udoh and Amos Benjamin, defenders Halilu Lukman and Lazarus John, midfielder Kingsley Michael and strikers Orji Okonkwo and Samuel Chukwueze.

Midfielder Chinedu Madueke and Sunday Alimi as well as goalkeeper Chisom Chiaha, who failed to make the squad to the African championship, were also picked.

New faces in the team are defenders David Enogela, Ibe Tobechukwu and Ejike Ikwu. Funsho Bamgboye, Chukwudi Agor, Joel Osikel, Edidiong Essien and Udochukwu Anumudu.

Speaking to thenff.com, Amuneke described his list as very exciting and was confident the players would fly the country’s flag very well in Chile.

“The World Cup is here and we have picked the best players for this assignment to represent our country,” he said.

“We have brought in new players to add value to the team that secured the ticket for Chile at the last African U-17 Nations Cup in Niger Republic and we believe this crop of players would give their best in Chile, as we are the defending champions.”

The Golden Eaglets would have the honour of playing the opening match of the FIFA U-17 World Cup against the United States of America on October 17 at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Pradanos in Santiago.

The Eaglets’ other Group A matches against host Chile and Croatia would be played on October 20 and 23 respectively.

FULL LIST

Goalkeeper

Akpan Udoh, Amos Benjamin, Chisom Chiaha

Defender

John Lazarus, Tobechukwu Ibe, Lukman Zakari, Ejike Ikwu, David Enogela

Midfielder

Kelechi Nwakali, Chinedu Madueke, Chukwudi Agor, Joel Osikel, Kingsley Michael, Samuel Chukwueze, Edidiong Essien

Forward

Funsho Bamgboye, Victor Osimhen, Udochukwu Anumudu, Osinachi Ebere, Sunday Alimi, Orji Okwonkwo