Nigeria U-20 team, the Flying Eagles, will begin preparation for the 2013 African Youth Championship when they open training camp in Abuja on Sunday.
Coach John Obuh has called up 20 players, the core of the team who beat South Africa 4-2 on aggregate in October to qualify for the AYC, which will kick off in Algeria on March 16.
The Flying Eagles are the defending champions and are drawn in Group B along with debutants Gabon, Mali and DR Congo.
Flying Eagles secretary Aliyu Auwal said that players should report to the Serob Legacy Hotel in Wuye, Abuja.
The team are also slated to set up a training base in Tunisia at least three weeks prior to the championship.
The call-ups:
Goalkeepers: Samuel Okani, Jonah Usman, Jacob Abobo
Defenders: Ikechukwu Okorie, Chizoba Amaefule, Shehu Abdullahi, Kenneth Omeruo, Aliyu Mohammed Goyi, Abubakar Hassan
Midfielders: Moses Orkuma, Abduljaleel Ajagun, Ovboka Agboyi, Uche Agbo, Chidi Osuchukwu
Strikers: Alhaji Gero, Yahaya Adamu, Bright Ejike, Umar Aminu, Harrison Egbune, Sikiru Alimi
