FLYING EAGLES PROFILE
At the World Cup stage, the Nigeria U20s have twice lost in the final of the FIFA Under-20 World Cup and were third at the 1985 edition in the former Soviet Union. Their last AYC triumph was in May, when the current team beat Cameroon 3-2 in a thrilling final in Soweto. To reach the […]
At the World Cup stage, the Nigeria U20s have twice lost in the final of the FIFA Under-20 World Cup and were third at the 1985 edition in the former Soviet Union.
Their last AYC triumph was in May, when the current team beat Cameroon 3-2 in a thrilling final in Soweto.
To reach the 2011 AYC they had to beat both Mauritius and Guinea in the qualifying series.
The core of this team is the Golden Eaglets Class of 2009, who were beaten by Switzerland in the final of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup on home soil.
They prepared for the World Cup with residential training first in the southern Nigerian city of Port Harcourt, before they left for a more concentrated training in Faro, Portugal, where they played out a 0-0 draw with their Portuguese counterparts in Lisbon.
They rounded up their World Cup build-up be featuring in a four-nation invitational tournament in Panama, where they drew a game (0-0 vs Panama) and lost two (vs Portugal 2-0 and vs Mexico 4-1).
They are solid in defence and with the right service from midfield, they can run up the scores against the other team.
GOALKEEPERS
1 DAMI PAUL 18/12/1992 NASARAWA UTD 67KG 1.70M
First choice goalkeeper who first came to prominence as one of the outstanding players at the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup hosted by Nigeria.
He was one of the reasons Nigeria won the African Youth Championship for the sixth time in May in South Africa as he posted a big performance throughout the tournament and especially in the final against Cameroon. He makes up for his lack of inches with his agility, confidence, courage and organisational ability.
21 KAZIM YEKINI 01/11/1992 KWARA UTD 72KG 1.73M
A new addition to the squad who won the African Youth Championship. He is first choice at Nigeria Premier League side Kwara United. He missed the cut for the 2009 FIFA Under-17 World Cup. He has now fitted in very well in this team, showing class in several pre-World Cup warm-ups. He is most certainly a worthy cover for Dami.
16 GIDEON GAMBO 15/11/1992 SHARKS 81KG 1.80M
Tall shot stopper known for his penalty-stopping prowess. He also missed out on the 2009 U17 World Cup. He suffered an ankle injury leading up to Colombia 2011 in a friendly against Portugal in Lisbon and has dropped in the pecking order.
DEFENDERS
5 KENNETH OMERUO 17/10/1993 STANDARD LIEGE 75KG 1.81M
A classy central defender who along with former skipper Fortune Chukwudi held firm in the heart of the back four as the Golden Eaglets marched all the way to the final of the U17 World Cup two years ago.
He is tactically disciplined, has great anticipation and he is cool under pressure. He missed the AYC as he opted to get a contract in Europe. He has a junior contract at Standard Liege of Belgium and will most likely be offered a pro deal in October when he turns 18.
13 EMMANUEL ANYANWU 15/11/1991 ENYIMBA 79KG 1.72M
Powerful and dependable central defender who is sometimes played at right back by this team. The Olympic international was a late minute draft to the AYC and he showed his maturity and composure gained while featuring for six-time league champions Enyimba, where he has formed a great central defence partnership with former international Nnaemeka Anyanwu.
6 GANI OGUNGBE 01/12/1992 GATEWAY FC 78KG 1.85M
One of two players in the squad not featuring in the Nigeria Premier League. He is a towering central defender who is back in the national team setup after missing the cut for the 2009 U17 World Cup. He will likely pair Omeruo in central defence should Anyanwu play at right back. He is ever willing to take responsibility and has a bright future ahead of him.
17 FELIX UDOH 28/12/1993 FIRST BANK LAGOS 63KG 1.69M
The other player in the squad who does not play in the Nigerian top flight. He is skilful, natural left footer, loves to join the attack, who though is untested at this level of the game. He has to learn quickly as he is the only leftback in the squad.
19 CHIMEZIE MBAH 10/11/1992 WARRI WOLVES 77KG 1.77M
Right back or central defender, who could also be played in midfield as a destroyer because of his boundless energy. He is a powerful warrior who believes in his robust style. His recent switch from Ocean Boys to a higher profile team Warri Wolves has enhanced his chances of being part of this squad.
2 TERNA SUSWAN 05/09/1991 VITORIA SETUBAL 71KG 1.70M
Olympic international fullback who can play either on the right or left of defence. He is one of the most experienced players in this squad and played a big, influential role as the Flying Eagles triumphed at the AYC. He was close to making the final squad to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa while still at NPL side Lobi Stars.
Started out as a defensive midfielder before he finally settled down as a smart right back and that could well explain his intelligence, ball skills and willingness to join the attack from the flanks.
MIDFIELDERS
15 PHILEMON DANIEL 20/11/1992 KWARA UTD 64KG 1.68M
The team’s hard working defensive midfielder whose class and character have been underlined by the fact that he has captained his NPL club.
This energetic good ball winner is the donkey of the team, doing all the dirty work in the middle of the park. He came up big at the AYC.
20 RAMON AZEEZ 12/12/1992 ALMERIA/SPAIN 68KG 1.65M
Stylish midfielder who shone to be named the third best player of the FIFA U17 World Cup two years ago on home soil. He led the Flying Eagles to glory in South Africa in May. The coming of Philemon Daniel to the team has meant Azeez has now slotted in more as a creative central midfielder because of his ball-carrying skills. A recent problem over the availability of his passport almost cost him a chance to the U20 World Cup.
4 SANI TAHIR 28/08/1992 VELJE/DENMARK 63KG 1.65M
Smallish but skilful attacking midfielder who was picked ahead of several more established players. He has been in Denmark for the past three years and now features for Velje in the Danish first division.
Has a great left foot and there is no doubting the ability of this lad who only played non-league football in Nigeria before he moved abroad. However, he is sometimes rather too elaborate.
FORWARDS
9 OLANREWAJU KAYODE 08/05/1993 ASEC MIMOSAS/COTE D’IVOIRE 65KG 1.74M
Direct-playing centre forward who has a big engine that allows him to use his speed and stamina to torment opposing defences. He was mostly used as a substitute at the 2009 U17 World Cup after his goals in the build-up seem to dry up. He has since benefitted from being part of a powerful setup at Ivorian champions Asec Mimosas.
12 UCHE NWOFOR 17/09/1991 ENUGU RANGERS 74KG 1.77M
Tall centre forward, who has a good shot and is good in the air. He was the Goal King of the AYC with four goals and one of the team’s best penalty kick takers. This is only his third season in the
Nigerian top flight after featuring for Anambra Pillars in the lower league. He was part of the ‘B’ international team who won the sub-regional WAFU Nations last year. Speculations are rife he is now on his way to top Portuguese club Benfica.
18 EDAFE EGBEDI 05/08/1993 NO CLUB 62KG 1.62M
Nippy right winger who shot to limelight with goals and mazy dribble runs for the Golden Eaglets two years ago. He is a natural, who claims he is holding out for a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid when he turns 18 next month.
3 OMOH OJABU 14/12/1992 DOLPHIN 64KG 1.64M
Stocky goal getter who knows his way to goal. He has balance, power and a good turn. Injury prevented him from the AYC in South Africa, but he has since bounced back to be part of the World Cup party.
7 AHMED MUSA 14/10/1992 VVV VENLO/NETHERLANDS 63KG 1.71M
The most accomplished player in this team. He was forced to make a trans-Atlantic shuttle to the AYC following the reluctance of his Dutch club to release him. He has already been capped at full international, Olympic and ‘B’ international levels. His pace is phenomenal and he is also the all-time top scorer in the Nigeria Premier League with 18 goals last season with Kano Pillars. He is widely expected to shine at Colombia 2011.
12 TERRY ENVOH 12/12/1992 SHARKS 66KG 1.67M
Usually a top striker, but has mostly been used by coach Obuh to run the left side of attack. He showed he can score goals by notching the winner against Cameroon in the final of the AYC and now needs to score more to attract bigger interests from abroad. Highly disciplined player who was an ever-present as Nigeria went all the way to the final of the U17 World Cup final two years ago.
14 SANI EMMANUEL 23/12/1992 LAZIO/ITALY 58KG 1.64M
Diminutive striker who finished as tournament top scorer at the U17 World Cup two years ago with six goals, with all his goals coming after he gets off the bench. He is mobile, knows his way to goal and packs a good shot. He has spent the better part of the last two years combing Europe in search of a club and only recently agreed a junior contract with Italian club Lazio. He is hopeful of a pro deal soon.