FIFA U-20 World Cup: Synagogue Boy, Emmanuel, Others Make F/Eagles’ Squad

Nigeria’s U-20 coach John Obuh has named his final squad for the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup which begins in Colombia next weekend.

A host of players from the silver-winning 2009 U-17 World Cup team made the 21-man squad, including skipper Ramon Azeez, who won the Bronze Ball at the tournament and Supersub Sani Emmanuel, who took home the Golden Ball.

Emmanuel played for My People’s Football Club, an outfit owned by Pastor T.B. Joshua of the Synagogue of All Nations before he moved to Lazio in Italy.

Also included in Obuh’s team for the World Youth Championship, WYC, are a host of players from this year’s African Youth Championship, AYC, which the Flying Eagles won.

There was no place, however, for local stars, Gbenga Arokoyo, Kelly Godwin and Chidi Osuchukwu.

The players dropped from the team have since returned to Nigeria from the Four-Nation Invitational Tournament held in Panama.

P.M.Sportsonline gathered that the Flying Eagles will jet out to the venue of the World Cup matches, Bogota, Colombia tomorrow.

Nigeria play Guatemala in their opening game on 31 July before meeting Croatia 3 August and Saudi Arabia three days later.

Four countries will represent Africa at the youth international tourney, including Cameroon, Egypt and Mali.

FULL SQUAD

Goalkeepers:

Danjuma Paul (Nasarawa United), Kazim Yekini (Kwara United), Gideon Gambo (Sharks)

Defenders:

Kenneth Omeruo (Standard Liege/Belgium), Chiemezie Mbah (Warri Wolves), Gani Ogungbe (Gateway FC), Emmanuel Anyanwu (Enyimba), Terna Suswan (Vitoria Setubal-Portugal), Felix Odoh (First Bank Lagos)

Midfielders:

Philemon Daniel (Kwara United), Abduljaleel Ajagun (Dolphin), Sani Tahir (Vejle-DEN), Ramon Azeez (Almeria-SPA)

Strikers:

Ahmed Musa (VVV Venlo-Netherlands), Uche Nwofor (Enugu Rangers), Bright Ejike (Sharks), Olanrewaju Kayode (Asec-Cote d’Ivoire), Sani Emmanuel (Lazio-Italy), Omo Ojabu (Dolphin), Terry Envoh (Sharks), Egbedi Edafe (unattached).