Osimhen makes 21-man squad to Africa U23 Nations Cup

Contrary to reports suggesting his non-inclusion, FIFA U-17 World Cup star player, Victor Osimhen, is now in the final 21-man squad just released by the Head Coach, Samson Siasia, for the Africa U-23 Nations starting this weekend in Senegal.

Osimhen, fresh from his record-breaking exploits in Chile where he emerged the first and only player ever to score 10 goals in a single tournament, is one of the five strikers that would lead Nigeria’s quest for goals in Senegal.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that Osimhen’s inclusion was actually an afterthought as Granada’s Isaac Success, who was initially picked for the Senegal tournament, is not going to be available owing to club engagements.

In this final roster, only four players are plying their football trade outside the shores of Nigeria as foreign clubs are not obliged to release players as the tournament is not on FIFA calendar.

The Dream VI will be campaigning in Group B where they are pitched alongside Egypt, Algeria and Mali.

The other Group A houses hosts, Senegal, South Africa, Zambia and Tunisia.

With Nigeria failing to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics last term, the pressure is on Coach Siasia to get a ticket to Brazil.

The top three teams from the Senegal tournament will be flying Africa’s flag at next year’s Rio Olympics.

The qualifier kicks off on November 28 and would be played in Dakar and M’bour, with the final match set for December. 12.

Full squad

1. Emmanuel Daniel
2. Yusuf Mohammed
3. Emmanuel Iwu
4. Segun Oduduwa
5. Sincere Seth
6. Azubuike Okechukwu
7. Ajayi Junior
8. Oghenekaro Etebo
9. Taiwo Awoniyi
10. Usman Mohammed
11. Ndifreke Effiong
12. Chukwuebuka Iroha
13. Stanley Dimgba
14. Godspower Aniefiok
15. Bature Yaro‎
16. Zaradeen Bello
17. Amaefule Chizoba
18. Seun Olulayo
19. Tiongoli Tonbara
20. Kufre Ebong
21. Victor Osimhen

Source: PREMIUM TIMES