On Thursday afternoon, the Nigeria Football Federation named a 21-man squad that will defend the colours of the country at the 2019 U23 Africa Cup of Nations.

The squad contains three goalkeepers, seven defenders, eight midfielders and three attackers.

Nigeria U23s coach Imama Amapakabo can count on the services of Watford's Tom Dele-Bashiru, Liverpool-owned striker Taiwo Awoniyi, Wolverhampton Wanderers product Bright Enobakhare and former Arsenal starlet Kelechi Nwakali during the tournament in Egypt.

Other foreign-based professionals included in the squad list are Azubuike Okechukwu (Istanbul Basaksehir), Valentine Ozornwafor (Galatasaray, on loan to Almeria), Sincere Seth (Boluspor), Muyiwa Olabiran (FC Tambov), Orji Okonkwo (Bologna), Sunday Faleye (FC Wacker Innsbruck) and Samuel Atavti (Esperance).

Nigeria, who are defending champions of the AFCON, will open group play on November 9 against Ivory Coast, they then face Zambia on November 12 and wrap up group play against South Africa on November 15.

The U23 AFCON will determine which three African teams will compete at the 2020 Summer Olympics men's football tournament in Japan.

Goalkeepers (3) : Adamu Abubakar (Wikki Tourists); Mohammed Galadima (Nasarawa United); Kingdom Osayi (Giant Brillers)

Defenders (7) : Olisah Ndah (Remo Stars); Samuel Atavti (Esperance FC, Tunisia); Valentine Ozornwafor (UD Almeria, Spain); Sincere Seth (Boluspor FC, Turkey); Josiah Chukwudi (Spartak Tranava, Slovakia); Anthony Izuchukwu (Nest Sotra, Norway); Bitok Stephen (FC Isloch, Belarus)

Midfielders (8): Sunusi Ibrahim (Nasarawa United); Aliyu Yau Adam (Spartak Jurmala, Latvia); Muyiwa Olabiran (Tambov FC, Russia); Kelechi Nwakali (FC Huesca, Spain); Ndifreke Effiong (Akwa United); Sunday Faleye (Wacker FC, Austria); Tom Dele-Bashiru (Watford FC, England); Azubuike Okechukwu (Basaksehir FC, Turkey)

Forwards (3): Orji Okwonkwo (Bologna FC, Italy); Taiwo Awoniyi (FSV Mainz 05, Germany); Bright Enobakhare (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England)

Ifeanyi Emmanuel