12 April 2011
This week sees the kick off of the 2011 African Youth Championships to be hosted in South Africa. Our specialist reporter Samm Audu takes a closer look at the Flying Eagles team and profiles the young, up and coming stars of Nigerian football.
GOALKEEPERS
Danjuma Paul
Club: Nasarawa United
Birth date: 18/12/1992
Jersey No. 1
A naturally-gifted shot stopper, he was top choice goalkeeper as Nigeria reached the final of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup hosted by the country. He is agile, composed and takes full command of his goal area.
John Felagha
Club: Aspire Academy, Qatar
Birth date: 27/7/1994
Jersey No. 21
Felegha, who hails from Bayelsa State, is the baby of the squad as he will only be 17 in July. He is on a four-year scholarship at the famous Aspire Academy in Qatar, where he is combining football with majoring in banking and finance. Marshals his area well and full of confidence. He was an unused sub during the FIFA Under-17 World Cup two years ago.
Gideon Gambo
Club: Sharks
Birth date: 15/11/1992
Jersey No. 16
Tall goalkeeper, who trained with the Golden Eaglets class of 2009 before he was dropped at the last moment. He was part of the squad that won Sharks of Port Harcourt their first major trophy, the sub-regional WAFU Cup, in their 38-year history. The former Bendel Insurance shot stopper holds a lot of promise.
DEFENDERS
Markson Ojobo
Club: Enyimba
Birth date: 1/12/1992
Jersey No. 14
A lively right fullback who can pop upfront to score goals. He now features for champions Enyimba after an eventful stint at Bayelsa United. He is versatile enough to play at left fullback.
Ganiu Ogungbe
Club: Gateway
Birth date: 1/12/1992
Jersey No. 5
Tall central defender from Pro League side Gateway International FC of Abeokuta, who missed the cut for the 2009 Under-17 World Cup. Standing at 1.89 metres, he is expectedly good in the air and often puts his body on the line of duty. As fit as a horse and ever ready to learn.
Mohammed Aliyu
Club: Youth team Villarreal, Spain
Birth date: 12/2/1993
Jersey No. 3
Left full back from the FIFA Under-17 World Cup. Brilliant going forward and packs a powerful shot in his natural left foot.
Terna Suswan
Club: Vitoria Setubal, Portugal
Birth date: 5/09/1991
Jersey No. 2
The former Wikki and Lobi Stars ace has already been capped at B, Olympic and full international levels. He is strong in the tackle, has a great technique probably because he started out as a defensive midfielder. Besides his confidence, this smart defender will be one of the seniors in the team on account of his international exposure after he made the provisional squad for last years World Cup in South Africa.
Kingsley Oluocha
Club: Abia Warriors
Birth date: 28/07/1992
Jersey No. 4
A towering central defender from Pro League outfit Abia Warriors, formerly OUK. A fighter, who continues with every kick of the ball. Mostly a cover for the first choice central defenders.
Gbenga Arokoyo
Club: Kwara United
Birth date: 1/11/1992
Jersey No. 6
A graduate of the Kwara Football Academy, Arokoyo is a tall, commanding centre half who has cemented his place at Nigeria Premier League side Kwara United. He is good on the ball as to often join the attack when necessary. He was also part of the formative stage of the Eaglets set of 2009.
Emmanuel Anyanwu
Club: Enyimba
Birth date: 15/11/1991
Jersey No. 13
Highly-rated central defender has already been capped by the Olympic team. He is a tough-as-nails stopper, who has formed a great partnership at the heart of the Enyimba defence with Nnaemeka Anyanwu. He is powerful, experienced and as cool as ice even when under pressure.
MIDFIELDERS
Chidi Osuchukwu
Club: Dolphin
Birth date: 11/10/1993
Jersey No. 17
This left-footed central midfielder joined up with title-chasing Dolphin from Gateway FC this season. He packs a great shot on his left foot, has superb ball skills and control as well as scores his fair share of goals.
Ramon Azeez
Club: Youth team Almeria, Spain
Birth date: 12/12/1992
Jersey No. 20
One of the stars of the 2009 FIFA Under-17 World Cup, this defensive midfielder has a great touch and he is also comfortable as a central midfielder. A lot is expected of him after he was recently snapped up by Spanish side Almeria following several months of speculations about his future.
Philemon Daniel
Club: Kwara United
Birth date: 20/11/1992
Jersey No. 15
A hard working, committed defensive midfielder who covers every blade of grass on the pitch. His work rate is phenomenal and he is the ball winner, the destroyer, of this team.
Abduljeleel Ajagun
Club: Dolphin
Birth date: 10/2/1993
Jersey No. 10
The stand-out playmaker of the Golden Eaglets from the 2009 World Cup. He is a clever ball player blessed with superb technique and loves to take on his marker. He also gets among the goals.
FORWARDS
Uche Nwofor
Club: Enugu Rangers
Birth date: 17/09/1991
Jersey No. 12
The former 3SC has been capped at B international level. He is strong, athletic, good in the air, packs a hot shot and he is ever willing to do battle inside the box.
Olanrewaju Kayode
Club: ASEC Mimosas, Cote dIvoire
Birth date: 8/5/1993
Jersey No. 9
He was a fringe player at the 2009 Under-17 World Cup after his goals seem to dry up, but nobody can doubt the huge promise this young striker holds. He harries defenders inside the box, but needs to be more composed once inside the box. A bundle of energy.
Edafe Egbedi
Club: Unattached
Birth date: 11/2/1993
Jersey No. 18
Another player from the Eaglets class of 2009. He is a right-sided midfielder or winger with a tantalizing foot work who loves to take on the opposing defence.
Stanley Okoro
Club: Youth team Almeria, Spain
Birth date: 8/12/1992
Jersey No. 8
Little Messi was the first from the 2009 set of Eaglets to move to Europe soon after the World Cup in Nigeria. He can play either as a right winger or as a striker.
Terry Envoh
Club: Sharks
Birth date: 12/12/1992
Jersey No. 11
Hard working forward, who plays from the left. He can also play from the right or as an out-and-out striker. He works for the team and has a big engine as he also falls back to defend when the need arises.
Gomo Onduku
Club: Sharks
Birth date: 17/11/1993
Jersey No. 19
A stocky left winger with superb balance, who weighs in with his fair share of goals. He is also at home playing on the right flank.
Ahmed Musa
Club: VVV Venlo, Netherlands
Birth date: 14/10/1992
Jersey No. 7
The undisputed leader of this team. His terrific pace has continued to torment defences. Musa was top scorer in the Nigeria Premier League last season with a record-breaking 18 goals. He has since been capped several times by the Super Eagles and netted his first goal at full international level against Kenya in a recent friendly in Abuja. He will now join up with the rest of the squad after his relegation-troubled Dutch club reluctantly agreed to release him for the championship.
