Captain of the home boys, Goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim, is at the head of 26 players called to the camp of the senior national team, the Super Eagles, ahead of next month’s international friendly match against African Cup of Nations record winners, Egypt, in Abu Dhabi.
There are three goalkeepers, eight defenders and 15 midfielders and forwards.
Players and officials are expected at the Bolton White Apartments, Zone 7, Abuja on April 2, 2012 before 1pm, with their international passports.
Other prominent names on the list are defenders Godfrey Oboabona; Azubuike Egwueke, who played the entire duration of last month’s 2013 African Cup of Nations qualifier against Rwanda in Kigali; midfielder Reuben Gabriel, who came in as substitute; and playmaker Ejike Uzoenyi, who dazzled endlessly against Rwanda and was voted the Most Valuable Player of the match.
Nigeria Premier League top scorer, Mustapha Babadidi of Gombe United, earlier called to the U-17 Team camp, has also been invited to fight for shirts with the big boys.
THE FULL LIST: Goalkeepers: Chigozie Agbim (Warri Wolves), Okemute Odah (Sharks FC), Daniel Akpeyi (Heartland FC).
Defenders: Juwon Oshaniwa (Sharks FC), Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars), Azubuike Egwueke (Warri Wolves), Papa Idris (Kano Pillars), Ahmed Adesope (3SC), Shehu Maija’ma (Wikki Tourists), Uzochukwu Ogonna (Enugu Rangers), Nura Mohammed (Enyimba FC).
Midfielders/Forwards: Obinna Nwachukwu (Heartland FC), Bartholomew Ibenegbu (Heartland FC), Izu Azuka (Sunshine Stars), Uche Kalu (Enyimba FC), Uche Ossai (Warri Wolves), Reuben Gabriel (Kano Pillars), Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers), Sunday Mba (Warri Wolves), Henry Uche (Enyimba FC), Barnabas Imenger Jnr (Kwara United), Mustapha Babadidi (Gombe United), Jabason Solomon (Akwa United), Hassan Hussein (Dolphins FC), Gbolahan Salami (Enyimba FC), Lawal Mohammed (Ranch Bees).