Imama Should Borrow A Page From Bazuaye : Four Super Eagles Stars Needed By Dream Team To Beat Libya

Published: March 20, 2019

Nigeria U23 side, known as Dream Team VII, were surprisingly defeated by Libya in today's much-anticipated AFCON U23 qualifier.

Imama Amapakabo's side failed to impress despite the arrays of stars in the team, and they will need to overturn a two-goal deficit in the reverse fixture at Stephen Keshi Stadium next week.

The team have put themselves in a very difficult situation, nonetheless, qualifying for the next U23 AFCON tournament is very much possible.

All they need do is draw inspiration from the 1996 Olympics qualifying game between Nigeria and Kenya in Mombasa.

Having played a goalless draw in front of their Lagos-based fans, the Dream Team had no option but to defeat their East African opponents away from home.

Knowing the strength of his opponents, coach Willy Bazuaye reinforced his team by drafting some foreign-based Super Eagles players who were within the age bracket into his team.

Ajax Amsterdam's Nwankwo Kanu of Ajax, Eintracht Frankfurt's Austin Okocha and Auxerre's Taribo West were invited to the original Dream Team squad.

The game, which was tagged 'The Battle of Mombasa' by the media, ended 3-0 in favor of Nigeria despite the large intimidating crowd.

The question is : Who should Imama Amapakabo lure from Gernot Rohr's men?

Allnigeriasoccer.com takes a look at four players urgently needed by the Dream Team VII coach.

Henry Onyekuru : The 21-year-old star is currently on fire with Turkish side Galatasaray. He has scored 11 league goals this season, hence, his presence in the team will be an added advantage.

Victor Osimhen : The Wolfsburg loanee is in the best form of his career, having scored 12 goals for Belgian outfit Sporting Charleroi.

His eye for goal was lacking in today's encounter. He will be highly welcomed by the team for the return leg.

Chidozie Awaziem : The Porto loanee is back to his form since his loan switch to Rizespor in January. His no-nonsense defensive trait will boost goalkeeper Oremade's confidence against Libya.

Ikuowem Udo : Irrespective of the fact that the fullback is based in Nigeria, his quality can't be overlooked by any manager.

The 19-year-old will add more qualities to Amapakabo's fragile defensive unit in Delta state.

As it is often said, 'it is not over until it's over', the Dream Team VII still have another opportunity to right all their wrongs in five days time.

Ibukun Italoye