The first set of foreign based players have been called up to the Nigeria U20 team who are preparing for the World Youth Championship in Poland later this year.
Owngoalnigeria.com takes a look at their performance so far for their respective teams as part of our focus on the team that finished 4th at the recently concluded Africa U20 Cup of Nations, which served as the qualifiers for the World Youth Championship.
Chinedu Ekene ( Hoffenheim B) – He is working his way back to match fitness after missing a total of 14 months due to injuries in the last two years. So far he has scored three goals in 18 games.
Jerome Akor Adams ( Sogndal) – Took the Youth Cup final in Norway by storm towards the end of last season with a brace in the final against Rosenborg. This season he has played twice for the first team of the second division Norwegian side without a goal but he is staging a return to the team he was part of in their formative years on the strength of his pace, power and finishing.
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Nnamdi Ofoborh ( Bournemouth U23) – Made his debut for the Nigeria U20 in their two legged friendly game against Egypt a year ago but went missing from the team since then. Club commitments has not helped his case with the team. A regular for the U23s of Bournemouth, the 19 year old midfielder has scored four goals from 15 appearances this season.
Tom Dele-Bashiru ( Man City U23) – The contract rebel has surprisingly played a total of 20 games for the U23s of Man City in all competitions. A defensive midfielder with the eye for a pass. He missed out on the team to the U20 Cup of Nations due to his contractual issues at the Etihad which appears to have been concluded with a proposed move to either Atalanta or Juventus.
Igho Ogbu ( Rosenborg) – A late addition to the team for the U20 Cup of Nations but ended up forming a strong partnership with Valentine Ozornwafor in the heart of the defence of Nigeria at the tournament. A loan spell at Levanger last season helped brushed his rough edges but this season bar pre season games he is yet to play for the first team of Rosenborg but he has been regular for the youth team.
Hamdi Akujobi ( Heerenveen U19) – Trained with the team prior to their games in the qualifiers for the Africa U20 Cup of Nations but didn’t make the squad for games. Born in the Netherlands to a Nigerian father, Hamdi has played 20 games for the U19s of Heerenveen this season in all competitions. He recently signed professional terms with the club.
Alhassan Yusuf ( IFK Goteborg U19) – Recently returned from injury and went straight into the starting line up for the U19 of the Swedish side. He has been earning positive reviews since his move to the team last year owing to his performance for the youth team but no appearance yet for the first team.
Jibril Abubakar ( FC Midtjylland U19) – Spotted by the coach of the team during a game in the UEFA Youth League. The bean pole striker who stands at an impressive height of 1.93m has played 15 games in the youth league in Denmark with 7 in the UEFA Youth League. Although his goal return isn’t that impressive with just four this season he has been tipped to play a part in the main team next season.