Olympic Eagles head coach Salisu Yusuf has named his 18-man squad that will face Tanzania in the first leg of their U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying tie in Dar es Salaam on Saturday.
The squad of mostly Nigeria Professional Football League players is made up of two goalkeepers, six defenders, five midfielders and five forwards.
Yusuf included in the squad Flying Eagles goalkeeper Nathaniel Nwosu, who was in impressive form as Nigeria qualified for the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.
Meanwhile, sports minister Sunday Dare yesterday paid a visit to the team’s camp in Ibadan as they played a 1-1 draw with NPFL side Shooting Stars in a friendly match at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan.
The minister charged the players to give their all when they play Tanzania this weekend, and do the same when they host the East Africans in the return leg at the Lekan Salami Stadium on Saturday next week.
“Football is a national treasure in our country and I want you to know that any time you go out there, you have a responsibility to give your very best and do the nation proud,” Dare said.
“Go to Tanzania and win, and come back home to this same venue and wrap up the victory.”
The minister also noted that the journey to qualify for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics starts on Saturday and only the best teams will earn the ticket to represent Africa.
He expressed optimism that the team would conquer going by the high quality they exhibited against Shooting Stars.
Dare promised that the sports ministry, Nigeria Football Federation and the Oyo State Government will provide the team all the support needed.
Responding on behalf of the team, Yusuf commended the minister for the visit as he assured Nigerians of a good outing on Saturday.
OLYMPIC EAGLES SQUAD FOR TANZANIA
Goalkeepers:
Nathaniel Nwosu; John Amah
Defenders:
Daniel Bamayi; Christopher Nwenze; Isaiah Ejeh; Dominion Ohaka; Evan Ogbonda; Michael Inainfe
Midfielders:
Olashile Akinniran; Ibrahim Auwalu; Qudus Akanni; Oluwatimilehin Ogunniyi; Oluwapelumi Adeyemo
Forwards:
Daniel Wotlai; Edidiong Ezekiel; Munir Idris; Success Makanjuola; Promise David
