The Nigeria U20 team will on Friday take on Tunisia in the third place match of the ongoing Africa U20 Cup of Nations in Egypt after failing to reach the final by losing 0-1 to Gambia in the semi final.
Head coach of the team Ladan Bosso has already said he will Improved on the squad ahead of the World Cup in Indonesia with his focus more on the attack of the team. All the strikers he took to the tournament none had a goal or an assist.
OGN editor in chief Mohammed Mowiz picks five players who can help the team fly high at the U20 World Cup on the strength of what he has seen so far at the U20 Africa Cup of Nations after five games.
George Ilenikhena ( Amiens) – At the age of 16, the Lagos born forward has already stamped his feet in the first team of French Ligue 2 side Amiens.
He holds the record of the first player born in 2006 to score in one of the top two leagues in England, France, Germany, Italy or Spain courtesy of that stoppage time equaliser for Amiens against Bordeaux. He was born after the retirement of legendary France star Zinedine Zidane.
Despite his tender age, he has scored six goals in seven games for the U19 team and once in Ligue 2 for the main team from 8 games. He has what it takes to solve some of the problem we noticed in the attack of the team
Ademola Ola-Adebomi ( Crystal Palace) – He was at tha camp of the team for three days and missed out on the squad for the U20 AFCON due to no real test game to access him for the period of time he was around. Already he has played for the first team in a mid season friendly game against Manchester United.
In the Premier League 2, he has emerged as one of the first name on the team sheet for games with his record of four goals in 13 games not the only thing to admire. His hold up play and assurance on the ball has also caught the eyes. He could be the team’s battling ram at the World Cup if considered.
Joel Ideho ( Arsenal) – A no brainer on the flanks as he is heavily loved by Bosso after training twice with the team before the AFCON. Provided his passport issue is sorted his inclusion in the squad for the World Cup seems like a done deal.
Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Inter Milan) – A €1m signing by Inter Milan from Remo Stars. The team lacked a ball carrier in the absence of the injured Daniel Daga. This is where Akinsanmiro will come handy. Since his move to the Italian side he has played in all of the games since his debut two weeks ago.
Victory Beniangba – The hottest among the players listed to boost the team. The former Bayelsa United forward has put behind him the controversy that almost claimed his career, when Spanish side Celta Vigo claimed they have an agreement with him before his decision to sign for Genk.
Yet to make his first team bow for the league leaders he has however taken the Belgium second division by storm with six goals in 15 games for the B team of Genk called Jong Genk. One thing that is sure about him is that he is always a menace to defenders with his pace, power and skills.
