U20 World Cup: Chukwueze, Two Man City Products, Ex-Germany U17 Star Named In Provisional Squad

Eight foreign-based players have been included in Nigeria's 31-man provisional squad list for the upcoming FIFA U20 World Cup taking place in Poland.

Villarreal's Samuel Chukwueze has been identified as the X-factor player in the squad, with appearances and goals in La Liga and the Europa League, and caps for the Super Eagles, Flying Eagles, Dream Team VII and Golden Eaglets.

One of the surprises comes in the form of Manchester City product Ashinme Kigbu making the squad as the central defender previously pledged his international allegiance to England where he was raised.

Born in Jos, Kigbu is now on the books of Wolfsberger AC, for whom he has has made four appearances as substitute in the Austrian Bundesliga after ending his association with Man City last summer.

Manchester City U23 star Tom Dele-Bashiru has been called up for the training camp and will be assessed over the next few weeks at the get-together in Germany.

Enyimba pair Ikouwem Udo Utin and Valentine Ozornwafor, and former German U17 star Chinedu Ekene have been picked alongside lanky and physical FC Midtjylland youth-teamer Jibril Abubakar.

Nigeria's Provisional Squad

Home-Based: Detan Ogundare, Olawale Oremade, Matthew Yakubu, Mike Zaruma, Rabiu Mohammad, Solomon Onome, Ikouwem Udo Utin, Quadri Liameed, Adewale Oladoye, Peter Eletu, Ernest Chidiebere, Victor Arikpo, Effiom Maxwell, Abubakar Ibrahim, Adeshina Gata, Aniekeme Okon, Sor Collins, Ahmad Ghali, Aliu Salawudeen, Tijani Muhammad, Pascal Durugbor, Saeed Jibril, Valentine Ozornwafor.

Overseas-Based: Samuel Chukwueze, Kingsley Michael, Ash Kigbu, Tom Dele-Bashiru, Chinedu Ekene, Henry Offia, Abubakar Jibril, Hamdi Akujobi.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel