Bournemouth, Watford Midfielders Omitted As Nigeria Announce U20 AFCON Roster

Two midfielders on the books of Premier League clubs have been omitted from the Nigeria U20 roster for the upcoming Africa U20 Cup of Nations in Republic of the Nigeria.

Watford wonderkid Jayden Bennetts and Bournemouth starlet Nnamdi Ofoborh will not display their wares when the tournament begins on February 2.

As exclusively reported by allnigeriasoccer.com, Sonderjyske new boy Nazifi Yahaya has been considered for the trip despite his omission from the provisional squad list.

Rosenborg midfielder Igho Ogbu, IK Start's Afeez Aremu are the other foreign based professionals included in the 21-man roster announced on Tuesday.

The Flying Eagles squad contains three goalkeepers, six defenders, five midfielders and seven attackers.

Nigeria will open group play against Burundi on February 2, before battling Niger (February 5) and South Africa (February 8).

Nigeria U20 Squad

Goalkeepers: Akpan Udoh (Unattached); Olawale Oremade (Oasis FC); Detan Ogundare (Kogi United)

Defenders: Mike Zaruma (Plateau United); Ikouwem Utin (Enyimba International); Igoh Ogbu (Rosenburg FC, Norway); Solomon Ogberahwe (El-Kanemi Warriors); Valentine Ozornwafor (Enyimba International); Olasunkanmi Aliyu (Emmanuel Amuneke Academy)

Midfielders: Peter Eletu (Prince Kazeem Academy); Quadri Liameed (36 Lions); Aniekeme Okon (Akwa United); Jamil Muhammad (Kano Pillars); Afeez Aremu (IK Stat, Norway)

Forwards: Adamu Alhassan (Kano Pillars); Yahaya Nazifi (Sonderjyske FC, Denmark); Ibrahim Aliyu (Oasis FC); Adeshina Gata (Wikki Tourists); Ibrahim Abubakar (Plateau United); Okoh Victor (Real Sapphire FC); Maxwell Effiom (Enyimba International)

Ifeanyi Emmanuel