Bosso reveals 17 foreign pros were in contention for Flying Eagles WC squad, update on Eletu 

 Nigeria U20s head coach Ladan Bosso has revealed that at least seventeen foreign-based professionals were in contention to be included on the Flying Eagles' provisional roster for the 2023 FIFA U20 World Cup. 

Of the seventeen players he beamed his searchlight on, only four are heading to Argentina, namely Trelleborg's Abel Ogwuche, AC Milan's Victor Eletu, and Botev Plodviv duo Ume Emmanuel and Tochukwu Nnadi.

The likes of Arsenal winger Joel Ideho and Norwich City striker Kenny Coker were monitored in Abuja but have been omitted from the traveling squad to Argentina. 

The Nigeria Football Federation hit a brick wall as regards to securing the release of some of the foreign-based professionals penciled in by Bosso and a case in point is Inter Milan midfielder Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, who had been guaranteed a roster spot. 

"Immediately after the tournament in Egypt, we penciled down about seventeen professionals. After going through their records, appearances in their clubs, we narrowed our scope on seven, and out of the seven some clubs said they could not release their players until the 15th of this month, that is barely few days to kickoff," Bosso told reporters on Friday.

"When I looked at the players again I said if that be the case from their clubs we don't need them again because I want all the professionals to come and meet us here, acclimatize with the team and we all move together. 

"Acclimatization does not mean playing in the field alone. If we are going together, join the flight together, we have our rest together and that's part of it, so at the end of the day we have about four professionals and all those four professionals are good to go."

Rumors suggesting that some of the foreign-based professionals would be joining the team in Argentina are wide of the mark, according to Bosso, who stressed that only Victor Eletu is still being expected. 

"Not true, all the players are here. The only player that will come in today or tomorrow, that will join us in transit is Victor Eletu. All the other players are here," Bosso said. 

Players and officials of the Flying Eagles are due to fly out to Argentina on Saturday for the final part of their preparations. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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