21-MAN LIST FOR U23 AFCON

[Gotti]

I am usually an optimist...
But this one go hard well well.

Team left for Egypt on Thursday...
After not really training together.

Top 3 teams qualify for 2020 Olympics.
GOOD LUCK LADS!!!

[Gotti]

Some of the Lads


Tom Dele-Bashiru


Kelechi Nwakali


*Picture Credit: NFF Twitter

[Gotti]

For those CEs resident in the US...
U23 AFCON matches will be televised by BeIN Sports.

[john12]

I remember watching nwakali vs Atletico's Madrid and thinking "what a talent" only for him to go into oblivion. it will be good if he can stamp his authority at this tournament

[olu]

Do we know if all the foreign based players will be released by their clubs?

[Damunk]

Do we know if all the foreign based players will be released by their clubs?

For them to be on the official final list, one woulda thought all that woulda been confirmed.

Again, sad to see there are only 6 local players that made the squad even at this U23 level, 3 of whom are 'keepers.

[Gotti]

The team has arrived in Egypt...

[Gotti]

Again, sad to see there are only 6 local players that made the squad even at this U23 level, 3 of whom are 'keepers.

The local players have not played competitive football in almost 6 months (since May)...

[ukwala]

Again, sad to see there are only 6 local players that made the squad even at this U23 level, 3 of whom are 'keepers.

The local players have not played competitive football in almost 6 months (since May)...

Also, like Rohr said, you invite them today and tomorrow they are in Europe. Sunday Faleye starred in the last CHAN finals while Valentine Ozornwafor was in Enyimba last season. There could be others in the team like that. There is no static pool of home based players.

[Lolly]

Again, sad to see there are only 6 local players that made the squad even at this U23 level, 3 of whom are 'keepers.

The local players have not played competitive football in almost 6 months (since May)...

Same with a number of the foreign based players.

This is going to be a very hard one for the lads. Players lacking match fitness and no time playing together. But this is furball, anything can happen.

[Lolly]

https://www.cafonline.com/total-u23-afr ... s/matches/

[Orion]

Again, sad to see there are only 6 local players that made the squad even at this U23 level, 3 of whom are 'keepers.

The local players have not played competitive football in almost 6 months (since May)...

What happened to the local league? I hope it's not all down to politics again.

I would take these guys over the local U23 side that failed to inspire in so many games tho. At least here we don't know what we're gonna get.

[Damunk]

Again, sad to see there are only 6 local players that made the squad even at this U23 level, 3 of whom are 'keepers.

The local players have not played competitive football in almost 6 months (since May)...

What happened to the local league? I hope it's not all down to politics again.

I would take these guys over the local U23 side that failed to inspire in so many games tho. At least here we don't know what we're gonna get.

The CHAN team was supposed to have been the U23 side.
How true is this and how many made this squad we now have?
I

[Orion]

Again, sad to see there are only 6 local players that made the squad even at this U23 level, 3 of whom are 'keepers.

The local players have not played competitive football in almost 6 months (since May)...

What happened to the local league? I hope it's not all down to politics again.

I would take these guys over the local U23 side that failed to inspire in so many games tho. At least here we don't know what we're gonna get.

The CHAN team was supposed to have been the U23 side.
How true is this and how many made this squad we now have?
I

This U23 project had problems from the start as the coach is seemingly unable to put a local team together that can get results. Each time they're bailed out by the foreign-based pros. The local guys featured in the WAFU Cup and CHAN qualifiers (which ideally, should have been adequate preparations for this competition) but they messed up there too.

[Cally]

For those CEs resident in the US...
U23 AFCON matches will be televised by BeIN Sports.

Thanks, Gotti.

[truetalk]

I am usually an optimist...
But this one go hard well well.

Team left for Egypt on Thursday...
After not really training together.

Top 3 teams qualify for 2020 Olympics.
GOOD LUCK LADS!!!

I'm cautiously optimistic.

Outside of Uzoho's injury, it is about as good a squad that we could have hoped for, given the inactivity of the homeboys & the fact that none of the top 5 leagues will release their regular squad players (So no Osimhen, Okereke, Dennis) etc.

The Falcons losing out is a big bummer, but it will be great to have 3 Nigerian teams at the Olympics. The men's football and both basketball teams (the women still need to qualify though).

[metalalloy]

For those CEs resident in the US...
U23 AFCON matches will be televised by BeIN Sports.

Great news! thanks for the info!

[olu]

There is some talent in this squad particulary in MF and attack:

Azubuike and Dele Bashiru are both very good CMs.
Okonkwo is a direct, strong, and pacy wing forward that can score goals.
Awoniyi is a solid CF.
Bright was pretty good last season with Coventry in league one. Will be interesting to see how he does on loan this season with Wigan in the Championship.
Despite question marks about fitness, Nwakali remains a very talented young player.

The problem for this team may be team chemistry. Also, not sure about the defense and goal keeping departments.

[Gotti]

There is some talent in this squad particulary in MF and attack:

Azubuike and Dele Bashiru are both very good CMs.
Okonkwo is a direct, strong, and pacy wing forward that can score goals.
Awoniyi is a solid CF.
Bright who is currently on loan with Wigan from Wolves has been very good this season even though he's currently playing in league one.
Despite question marks about fitness, Nwakali remains a very talented young player.

The problem for this team may be team chemistry. Also, not sure about the defense and goal keeping departments.

Yes, the squad contains reasonable talent...
However, we cannot just throw together random players and expect great team performance.

[Gotti]

Rohr drops by the U23 training in Ismailia, Egypt...





Picture Credit: NFF Twitter page

[Lolly]

Rohr drops by the U23 training in Ismailia, Egypt...

I am not sure its a good idea. He could have just turned up at the tournament to watch the boys.

[metalalloy]

Rohr drops by the U23 training in Ismailia, Egypt...

I am not sure its a good idea. He could have just turned up at the tournament to watch the boys.

Nah national team coach now.. He could offer his thoughts to the coaching staff.

[Ayo Akinfe]

Nwakali has been named skipper. This may be his last chance. I am tired of this boy's constant waste of his talent.