U23 AFCON: Liverpool Loanee Awoniyi, Captain Okechukwu Train With Nigeria U23s Pre-Zambia

Allnigeriasoccer.com understands that barring an injury, 20 players will be available for selection when defending champions Nigeria face Zambia in a must-win game at the U23 Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday.

Captain Azubuike Okechukwu of Istanbul Basaksehir kept to his word by reporting for international duty in Cairo on Monday morning at approximately 0900 hours following his trip from Turkey.

Liverpool loanee Taiwo Awoniyi is in contention to lead the Dream Team VII's attack tomorrow having linked up with the squad in the Egyptian capital.

Okechukwu and Awoniyi will certainly be involved in the Nigeria U23s final training session on Monday evening under the guidance of manager Imama Amapakabo.

With 15 appearances under his belt in all competitions this season including nine starts, the central midfielder is not lacking match fitness but the same cannot be said for the Mainz striker who has logged only 87 minutes from a possible 1080 in all competitions since his loan move to Germany.

Coach Amapakabo will not be able to count on Olisa Ndah for the match against the Zambians after the Remo Stars defender was sent off in Saturday's opener against Ivory Coast.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel