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Sports News of Wednesday, 4 January 2023

Source: www.punchng.com

Bosso to submit AFCON final list Jan 20

Ladan Bosso Ladan Bosso

Flying Eagles head coach, Ladan Bosso, will submit his final squad list of 23 players to the Confederation of African Football latest January 20, ahead of the 2023 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations finals scheduled for Egypt.

The tournament is billed to hold from February 19 to March 11 with seven-time champions Nigeria drawn against hosts Egypt, Senegal and Mozambique in Group A of the competition.

“We expect the list of players for the tournament to be sent in latest January 20th,” a team official told The PUNCH.

Meanwhile, Bosso stated that the team would resume the final phase of camping for the forthcoming tourney on January 7.

He also revealed that their preparations for the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations would be in Spain or Morocco.

“The camp will resume January 7 and the training tour will either be in Spain or Morocco,” Bosso said.

Bosso also disclosed he would be looking to add some experience in defence and attack, with the invitation of more overseas-based professionals.

“We need experience in attack and defence and even if any overseas-based player will join the team, they will be from these departments,” he said.

He also spoke about the tough-looking U-20 AFCON first-round group, adding that all teams were worthy of their places.

“It’s a normal group. Every team that qualifies for the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations is hopeful of qualifying for the World Cup,” Bosso said.

“So, whether we are in a tough group or not, if you want to qualify for the World Cup, you must play against the top teams at the Africa Cup of Nations.

“We will take it step by step. We won’t put any country first, we must respect every country in our group and we’ll work towards it.

“This team is not Bosso’s team, it’s Nigeria’s team. So, I want everyone to pray for the team now that the draws have been made.”

Bosso said his target was to reach the semi-finals, which would qualify the Flying Eagles for the U-20 World Cup in Indonesia in May.