Nigeria have named their 21-man squad for next month’s Africa U-20 Cup of Nations in Niger.
Coach Paul Aigbogun has named a strong squad that includes captain Ikouwem Udo Utin, who won a silver medal at the African Nations Championship in Morocco last year, as well as highly-rated forwards Yahaya Nazifi and Effiom Maxwell.
Three foreign-based professionals are also included: Igoh Ogbu of Rosenborg, Afeez Aremu of IK Stat FC and Nazifi, who recently signed a contract with Danish club Sonderjyske.
Nigeria have been drawn in Group A of the competition alongside hosts Niger, Burundi and South Africa
The Africa U-20 Cup of Nations runs from February 2 to 17.
Nigeria 21-man squad:
Goalkeepers: Akpan Udoh (Unattached); Olawale Oremade (Oasis FC); Detan Ogundare (Kogi United).
Defenders: Mike Zaruma (Plateau United); Ikouwem Utin (Enyimba International); Igoh Ogbu (Rosenburg FC, Norway); Solomon Ogberahwe (El-Kanemi Warriors); Valentine Ozornwafor (Enyimba International); Olasunkanmi Aliyu (Emmanuel Amuneke Academy).
Midfielders: Peter Eletu (Prince Kazeem Academy); Quadri Liameed (36 Lions); Aniekeme Okon (Akwa United); Jamil Muhammad (Kano Pillars); Afeez Aremu (IK Stat, Norway).
Forwards: Adamu Alhassan (Kano Pillars); Yahaya Nazifi (Sonderjyske FC, Denmark); Ibrahim Aliyu (Oasis FC); Adeshina Gata (Wikki Tourists); Ibrahim Abubakar (Plateau United); Okoh Victor (Real Sapphire FC); Maxwell Effiom (Enyimba International).