Sweden –based forward Onyekachi Durugbor Paschal has been drafted in
to replace injured Victor Boniface Okoh in Nigeria’s squad for next month’s
Africa U-20 Cup of Nations finals in Niger Republic.
Team Administrator Aliyu Ibrahim Lawal said on Thursday in Abuja that
medical examination on Real Sapphire FC striker Okoh revealed he had
knee injury that would keep him out for between four and six weeks and
meant he could not be part of the U20 AFCON finals.
Paschal plays for Vaxjo United FC in Sweden, and would now shoulder the
responsibility, alongside Adamu Alhassan, Yahaya Nazifi, Ibrahim Aliyu,
Adeshina Gata, Ibrahim Abubakar and Effiom Maxwell to provide the goals
for the seven –time African champions in Niger Republic.
The Flying Eagles go up against host nation Niger Republic, South Africa
and Burundi in Group A of the 15 –day championship, with matches to take
place in Niamey and Maradi. Paul Aigbogun’s wards play their first match
against Burundi on 2 nd February, before further group phase contests
against South Africa and Niger Republic on 5 th February and 8 th February
respectively.
Nigeria have been triumphant at Africa U20 level in 1983, 1985, 1987,
1989, 2005, 2011 and 2015, and finished as runners –up at the global
stage in 1989 and 2005, while winning bronze medals in 1985.
