U20 AFCON: Paschal replaces injured Victor Okoh

U20 AFCON: Paschal replaces injured Victor Okoh

By Admin

Sweden –based forward Onyekachi Durugbor Paschal has been drafted in to replace injured Victor Boniface Okoh in Nigeria’s squad for next month’s Africa U20 Cup of Nations finals in Niger Republic.

Team Administrator Aliyu Ibrahim Lawal told journalist on Thursday that medical examination on Real Sapphire FC striker Okoh revealed he had knee injury that would keep him out for between four and six weeks and meant he could not be part of the U20 AFCON finals.

Paschal plays for Vaxjo United FC in Sweden, and would now shoulder the responsibility, alongside Adamu Alhassan, Yahaya Nazifi, Ibrahim Aliyu, Adeshina Gata, Ibrahim Abubakar and Effiom Maxwell to provide the goals for the seven –time African champions in Niger Republic.

The Flying Eagles go up against host nation Niger Republic, South Africa and Burundi in Group A of the 15 –day championship, with matches to take place in Niamey and Maradi. Paul Aigbogun’s wards play their first match against Burundi on 2nd February, before further group phase contests against South Africa and Niger Republic on 5th February and 8th February respectively.

Nigeria have been triumphant at Africa U-20 level in 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 2005, 2011 and 2015, and finished as runners –up at the global stage in 1989 and 2005, while winning bronze medals in 1985.