2013 AYC: 39 Players For Flying Eagles Camp

Chief Coach of the U-20 national team, the Flying Eagles, John Obuh, has invited nine foreign-based professional players to camp, in preparation for the 2013 African Youth Championship (AYC).

A statement signed by the team’s Spokesperson, Samm Audu, in Abuja said that the invited players resume camp on or before last Sunday.

The 2013 AYC, billed for Algeria, will hold from March 16 to March 30, with eight participating teams.

The invited players include: Mikel Agu (FC Porto, Portugal), Bright Osagie (Red Bull, Salzburg, Austria), Salau Ibrahim Atta (Westerlo, Belgium) and Christian Chidere Okafor (LFK Numberg, Germany).

Others are: Marvel Ekpiteta (Stevenage, England), Femi Ajayi (Charlton Athletic),

Oliha Aigbe (Esperance Zarziz, Tunisia), Kenneth Ngwoke (Hamitkay, Cyprus). and Jesse Sekidika (Lancaster Higher School, England).

The team started preparations for the championship when it opened camping in Abuja on January 6 with 20 invited players.

The statement noted that Obuh also invited 19 other players to bring the number of players in camp to 39.

It added that 10 players have been dropped from the 39, while six others from the domestic league have been given a chance to prove themselves in the team.

This brings the number of players in camp to 44, struggling for shirts at the championship.

The statement added that as part of its build-up, the team is expected to  have a re-match today  in Enugu.

The team will take on the Super 4 and Federation Cup winners, Heartland FC of Owerri, on February 1 and two days later, take on the newly-promoted Bayelsa United FC.

The team has been drawn in Group B with Mali, Congo DR and Gabon in the championship.