Under-20 AFCON: Paschal Replaces Injured Okoh

Sweden-based forward Onyekachi Paschal has been invited to replace injured Victor Okoh in Nigeria’s squad for next month’s Africa Under-20 Cup of Nations finals in Niger Republic.
 Team Administrator Aliyu Ibrahim Lawal, in a statement by the Communications Department of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) yestersday, said medical examination on Okoh revealed he had a knee injury.
 Lawal said the injury would keep the Real Sapphire FC striker out for between four and six weeks, which means he could not be part of the Under-20 AFCON finals.
 Paschal plays for Vaxjo United FC in Sweden, and will now shoulder the striking responsibility alongside Adamu Alhassan, Yahaya Nazifi, Ibrahim Aliyu, Adeshina Gata, Ibrahim Abubakar and Effiom Maxwell.
 They are to provide the goals for the seven-times African champions in Niger Republic.
 The Flying Eagles go up against host nation Niger Republic, South Africa and Burundi in Group A of the 15-day championship, with matches to take place in Niamey and Maradi.
 They play their first match against Burundi on Feb. 2, before further group phase games against South Africa and Niger Republic on Feb. 5 and Feb. 8 respectively.
 Nigeria have been triumphant at the African Under-20 level in 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 2005, 2011 and 2015.
 They finished as runners-up at the global stage in 1989 and 2005, while winning bronze medals in 1985.