Flying Eagles coach, Paul Aigbogun has named his final 21-man squad for the FIFA U -20 World Cup in Poland. Skipper of the side, Ikouwem Udoh, Olawale Oremade, Valentine Ozornwafor, Igho Ogbu and Effiom Maxwell all made the team. Nigeria’s last appearance at the FIFA U20 World Cup was in New Zealand four years ago, where Coach Manu Garba’s wards were eliminated in the Round of 16 by Germany in Christchurch.

Highly rated Perugia of Italy midfielder Kingsley Michael, Manchester City starlet Tom Dele-Bashiru, Bournemouth’s Nnamdi Ofobor and Henry Offia are some of the new players in the squad.

The Flying Eagles, seven time champions of the African continent, have finished as runners-up at the FIFA World Cup on two occasions 1989 and 1995 – and took the bronze medals in the former Soviet Union 34 years ago. The Flying Eagles will play Qatar, the United States of America and Ukraine in that order at the championship in Poland, with their first game against Qatar in Tychy on 24th May.

THE FULL SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Detan Ogundare (Kogi United); Olawale Oremade (Kwara United; Jonathan Zaccala (Triestina FC, Italy)

Defenders: Valentine Ozornwafor (Enyimba FC); Aliu Salawudeen (Amuneke Academy); Igoh Ogbu (Rosenborg BK, Norway); Ikouwem Utin (Enyimba FC); Muhammad Rabiu (Plateau United); Jamil Muhammad (Kano Pillars)

Midfielders: Nnamdi Ofoborh (AFC Bournemouth, England); Eletu Peter (Prince Kazeem FC); Ayotomiwa Dele-Bashiru (Manchester City, England); Kingsley Michael (AC Perugia, Italy); Effiom Maxwell (Enyimba FC); Aniekeme Okon (Akwa United); Collins Sor (Oasis FC)

Forwards: Jerome Adams (Sogndal IL, Norway); Tijani Muhammed (FC Banik Ostrava, Czech Republic); Henry Offia (IK Sirius Uppsala, Sweden); Chinonso Emeka (Club Brookhouse, England); Success Makanjuola (Water FC)