EGUAVOEN CALLS 30 FOR TEST-RUN

Augustine Eguavoen
National U-23 team coach, Austin Eguavoen, has called up 30 relatively unknown, home-based players for a test-run as he opens camping for preparations towards the CAF African U-23 Championship taking place in Egypt from November 26 to December 10.

Goalkeeper Dami Paul and striker Edafe Egbedi, who represented Nigeria at the FIFA U-20 World Cup finals in Colombia in August, as well as 13 Nigeria Premier League players are included, otherwise the invited group is composed of lower league and amateur players.

Officials say the players will be given a one-week trial at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan beginning from Sunday, after which Eguavoen will select a few that must have impressed to join his established, mainly Europe-based squad.

New Federation Cup champions Heartland supply two players in defender Orji Kalu and midfielder Stanley Ohawuchi.

The players are Papa Idris, Jude Aneke (Kaduna United), Orji Kalu, Stanley Ohawuchi (Heartland), Uche David (Sharks), Dami Paul (Nasarawa United), Imole Bashiru (Bolowotan), Abomina Izuegbu, Sadiq Saliu (36 Lions), Azubuike Egwuekwe, Egbeta Emmanuel (Warri Wolves), Kelly Godwin (Unattached), Ikechukwu Gabriel (Kano Pillars) and Atu Irumekhai (MFM).

Others are Tunde Kareem (Police Machine), Yakubu Olanrewaju (Rising Stars), Emeka Atuloma (Dolphin), Chinedu Sunday, Brendam Chukwudi (Rangers), Abubakar Kareem, Ebenezer Odunlami (First Bank), Edafe Egbedi (Unattached), Arikpo Martins (UniCem Rovers), Laide Okanlawon, Christian Obiozor (3SC), Ekpai Ubong (Akwa United), Leke James (Julius Berger), Odah Onoriode (Unattached), George Akpabio (Plateau United), Franklyn Okafor (Insurance).