Flying Eagles Drop Ajagun , Aminu And Other Key Players Ahead Of Toulon.

Nigeria’s Under-20 team yesterday dropped several key players including skipper Abduljaleel Ajagun and striker Umar Aminu for next week’s Toulon Tournament.

Other players dropped are goalkeeper Jonah Usman, Chidi Osuchukwu, Chizoba Amaefule, Agboyi Ovbokha, Sikiru Alimi and Lucky Omeruo.

Tournament organisers have demanded that only 22 players be registered for the competition, which is expected to prepare several teams for the Under-20 World Cup in Turkey.

The Flying Eagles want to allow fringe and newly listed players press for places in a final 21-man squad for the World Cup.

The Flying Eagles are making their debut at the famous Toulon Tournament and kick off their campaign on Wednesday, May 29, against defending champions Mexico.

Meanwhile, local newspaper Hammelburg on Monday ran a special spotlight on the Flying Eagles who are training in Elfershausen, Germany, ahead of the Under-20 World Cup.

In a detailed feature hinged on an interview with the Flying Eagles Media Officer, Samm Audu, Hammelburg focused on the Nigeria Under-20 team.

The story was accompanied by a large photograph of Flying Eagles goalkeeper Jonah Usman in a diving exercise.

“Elfershausen has provided the ideal training camp for us. It’s serene and there are no distractions as we prepare for the World Cup,” Audu was quoted by the newspaper.

German Coach Jurgen Press has signed a short-term contract with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to bring “German organisation” to the Flying Eagles ahead of Turkey 2013.

“We are confident of our chances at the World Cup and we hope Jurgen Press will bring some tactical organisation to the team to ensure we go all the way in Turkey after we reached the quarterfinal in Colombia two years ago,” Hammelburg further quoted the media officer.

The spotlight also included comments on the conduct and eating habits of the team by the manager of the Ullrich Hotel in Elfershausen, where the Flying Eagles are putting up.

Squad for Toulon Tournament:

Goalkeepers: Samuel Okani (Enyimba), John Felegha (Eupen, Belgium), Sebastian Osigwe (FC Emmenbrucke, Switzerland)

Defenders: Shehu Abdullahi (Kano Pillars), Moses Orkuma (Lobi Stars), Ikechukwu Okorie (Enyimba), Kingsley Madu (El Kanemi), Collins Jamilu (HNK Rijeka, Croatia), Wilfred Ndidi (Nath Boys), Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Charlton Athletic youth team), Hassan Abubakar (Wikki Tourists)

Midfielders: Mathias Samuel (Kano Pillars), Christian Pyagbara (unattached), Uche Agbo (Enyimba), Michael Olaitan (Olympiacos, Greece)

Forwards: Edafe Egbedi (AGF Aarhus, Denmark), Daddy Moses Simon (Unattached), Bright Ejike (Heartland), Olanrewaju Kayode (unattached), Daniel Etor (Akwa United), Alhaji Gero (Enugu Rangers), Samuel Eduok (Dolphins).