Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries Football Club (MFM FC) defender Joshua Akpudje has earned a second call up to Nigeria’s U23 squad, the Dream Team IV following an impressive 2018/2019 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season with the Olukoya Boys.
The 19-year-old who could not contain his excitement told busybuddiesng.com in a chat said: “I am so very happy to be called again, because it can only be God.”
Akpudje was impressive for MFM FC last season, despite few stints on the sidelines, making more than 20 appearances for the Lagos based club. He added, in simple terms, that he is ready to do better than his first call up.
Akpudje was impressive for MFM FC, despite few stints on the sidelines, making more than 20 appearances for the Lagos based club.
Also on the list of invited players is joint top scorer of the 2018/2019 NPFL regular season, Ibrahim Sunusi who was able to find the back of the net 10 times for Nasarawa United. Prominent among other invited players include Akwa United’s Ndifreke Effiong and Sunday Adetunji of Abia Warriors.
The Olympic Eagles will hope to conquer the second round of qualifying when they face Sudan in a doubleheader, first in Khartoum on September 6 and four days later at the temporary home of Nigeria’s national football teams, the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, Delta State.
All the invited players are expected to arrive at the Serob Legacy Hotel, Abuja on Thursday, 8th August 2019.
Coach Amapakabo’s lads had faced Libya thrashing them 4-0 at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, following a 2-0 first-leg defeat at the Stade de Ben Guerdane in Tunisia, which saw them qualify for the final round qualifying round.
Nigeria won the second edition of the tournament hosted by Senegal in 2015, going on to win bronze at 2016 Rio Olympics.
The overall winners if the doubleheader expressly qualify for the 3rd Africa U23 Cup of Nations, which is billed for Egypt from 8th to 22nd November 2019, and at which Africa’s flagbearers at the Men’s Football Tournament of next year’s Olympics will emerge.
FULL LIST OF INVITED PLAYERS
| Adamu Abubakar | Wikki Tourists |
| Galadima Muhammed | Nasarawa United |
| Amos Obasoge | Insurance FC |
| John Lazarus | Lobi Stars |
| Etboy Akpan | Akwa United |
| Haruna Garba | Jordano FC |
| Abiodun Joseph | Sunshine Stars |
| Ebube Duru | Lobi Stars |
| Ojo Adebayo | Water FC |
| Joshua Akpudje | MFM FC |
| Ndah B | Remo Stars |
| Anumudu Udochukwu | Lobi Stars |
| Stephen Manyo | Enyimba FC |
| Family Ahmed | Adamawa United |
| Fatai Gbadamosi | Shooting Stars |
| Olatunji Oluwadamilare | Enyimba FC |
| Ndala Ibrahim | Nasarawa United |
| Seth Mayi | Remo Stars |
| William Ukeme | Wikki Tourists |
| Ibrahim Sunusi | Nasarawa United |
| Ndifreke Effiong | Akwa United |
| Sunday Adetunji | Abia Warriors |
| Musa Ronaldo Suleiman | Katsina United |
| Umar Abba | Wikki Tourists |
| Chibundu Amah | Sunshine Stars |
| Joshua Agboola | Katsina United |
| Cletus Umotem | Rivers United |
| Muritala Tiye Yusuf | Shooting Stars |
| Michael Eranumu | Insurance FC |
| Ibe Tobechukwu | Abia Warriors |
| Stephen Wisdom Ikechi | Wilbros FC |
| ThankGod Simon | MFM FC |
| Tofa Alhassan | Green Barrot |
| Adegboyega Semiu Dapo | Stationery Stores |
| Azeez Oseni | 36 Lions |
