Why Rio Ave's Kelechi Was Dropped From Nigeria U23 Roster For AFCONQ Vs Libya

Published: March 16, 2019

Rio Ave starlet Kelechi John is unlikely to make his international debut for Nigeria when they face Libya in an U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on March 20.

The central defender applied for a visa to Tunisia late and is set to be omitted from the roster, with the players in camp expected to depart Abuja this weekend.

It's a big blow to Dream Team VII coach Imama Amapakabo as Kelechi, who was recently nominated for the Best Player Award in the regular season of the Portuguese Liga Revelacao, impressed during the training camp and netted two goals in this morning's workout.

''Kelechi John is not traveling for the match, he has passport issues,'' a top source told allnigeriasoccer.com.

''He had to renew his passport when he arrived in Nigeria and submitted his passport on Thursday, it was late.

''The coaches asked him to prepare for the return leg in Asaba.''

Spezia's David Okereke, Rizespor's Azubuike Okechukwu and Liverpool loanee Taiwo Awoniyi are among the foreign-based professionals named in Nigeria U23s squad.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel