Osimhen, Nwakali make Amuneke’s 18-man team for Burundi clash

Emmanuel Amuneke, the U-20 coach, has named Victor Osimhen and Kelechi Nwakali, as part of his 18-man team for  this weekend’s 2017 CAF U-20 Cup of Nations qualifying match against Burundi in Bujumbura.

Amuneke cast his lot on his FIFA U-17 World Cup winners, with 15 of them making the list of 18 players of the U-20 squad.

Aliyu Ibrahim, the team’s secretary said the Nigerian delegation will fly out of Abuja aboard an Ethiopian Airline plane on Wednesday.

Nwakali, named the Player of the Tournament at the FIFA U-17 World Cup finals in Chile, where Nigeria scooped a fifth title, is joined by tournament best scorer Victor Osimhen and Bronze Boot winner Samuel Chukwueze.

There are also goalkeeper Akpan Udoh, defenders Ejike Ikwu, John Lazarus and Udochukwu Anumudu, midfielders Orji Okonkwo and Kingsley Michael and forwards Chukwudi Agor and Chinedu Madueke.

Nigeria and Burundi clash in a second round, first leg qualifying tie at the Prince Louis Stadium in Bujumbura on Saturday, starting from 3pm Burundi time (1pm Nigeria time). The winner of this fixture will confront Sudan in the final qualifying round.

Zambia will host the finals of the 2017 CAF U-20 Cup of Nations.

Flying Eagles for Burundi:

Kelechi Nwakali, Akpan Udoh, Chukwudi Agor, Ejike Ikwu, Anas Mohammed, Chinedu Madueke, Tobechukwu Ibe, Gavi Thompson, Samuel Chukwueze, Kehinde Ayinde, Orji Okonkwo, Victor Osimhen, Halilu Zakari, Udochukwu Anumudu, Kingsley Michael, Douglas Uzama, Chiaha Chisom, John Lazarus