Dream Team V coach, Austin Eguavoen yesterday charged players that made the final list for the forthcoming Africa U-23 championship to justify their inclusion in the list by ensuring that they work hard for the nation to qualify. The tournament is billed to kick-off next week in Morocco.
He told them that the essence of making the list is to ensure that the country’s flag is hoisted at the male football event at the London 2012 Olympics.
Eguavoen gave the charge during the team’s morning session inside the Main Bowl of the National Stadium, Surulere. “We all know that the nation is looking up to us. It was painstaking to get out the final 21 because you all have shown promise, determination and talent.
For those of you that have been chosen, it is now up to you to do your country proud and justify your inclusion in the team,” Eguavoen charged the boys.
The former Enyimba of Aba gaffer who beat the midnight deadline for the submission of his final 21-man list to the Confederation of Africa Football, CAF, affirmed his confidence in the ability of the team. “Everyone has continued to ask what happened to the likes of Lukman Haruna, Ekigho Ehiosun, Nnamdi Oduamadi, Odion Igalo and others. The truth is that I got the green light from their clubs and a host of others but surprisingly in the eleventh hour some of the clubs changed their minds; noting that the tournament is not in a FIFA free window. But in any case I have confidence in the squad we are taking to Morocco,” he affirmed.
The Final List:- Goal Keepers: Dele Ajiboye, Olufemi Thomas and Theophilus Afelokhai.
Defenders: Kingsley Udoh, Markson Ojobo, Usman Amoda, Emmanuel Anyanwu, Edet Ibok, Suswam Terna.
Midfielders: Osas Okoro, Ayo Saka, Odah Onoriode, Obiora Nwankwo, Nosa Igiebor, Lawal Raheem.
Attackers: Jude Aneke, Kayode Olarenwaju, Stephen Worgu, Babatunde Micheal, Uchechi Daniel, Gbolahan Salami.
Standby: Semiu Liadi, Papa Idris, Olabiyi Rasheed, Olaitan Otubanjo, Atu Irumekhai.