Netherlands squads announcement: Lagos-born PSV defender among five Nigerians called up

The Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) have announced the rosters for the Netherlands youth teams ahead of international matches this month with five players of Nigerian descent in contention to play for the European giants.

Former Manchester United and Manchester City youth teamer Noah Ohio and Strasbourg's Dutch-Nigerian-Togolese striker Emanuel Emegha have been named in the U21 squad.

Ohio has shown remarkable form in the U21 Euro qualifying, scoring in all five of his outings for Jong Oranje.

Michael Reiziger's team will do battle with Norway (March 21) in a friendly and will continue with the European Championship qualifying series four days later against Moldova.

At U19 level, Lagos-born PSV Eindhoven defender Emmanuel van de Blaak could take his total appearances for the age group to nine having been selected in manager Mischa Visser's final squad for three European Championship qualifiers. 

Netherlands will play against Lithuania (March 20), France (March 23) and Belgium (March 26).

Peter van der Veen, coach of the Netherlands U18s, is bringing a squad of 23 players to the four-nation tournament in Spain, where the Dutch team will face Germany, the Czech Republic and England.

German-Dutch-Nigerian center-back Precious Ugwu who plays for Ajax Amsterdam's youth team has been included in the Netherlands U18 squad. 

At U17 level, PSV starlet Ayodele Thomas has been selected in the squad for the decisive phase of the European Championship qualification.

Netherlands U17s will meet Italy, Finland and Belgium during the Elite Round (20-26 March).

Feyenoord's Hakeem Agboluaje was named in the provisional squad but did not crack the 21-man list. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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