TheCable

Former U-17 goalkeeper, Dele Alampasu, has joined the Flying Eagles’ camp on Friday in Abuja after completing his move to Estoril Praia of Portugal. 

Assistant coach of the team, Nduka Ugbade, had earlier expressed fears that the goalkeeper could miss the Africa Youth Championship (AYC), if he failed to join the team early enough.

But that has now been put to bed as the player, voted the best goalkeeper at the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup, finally joined his mates in camp.

“We are happy that a deal has finally been reached for his signature after undergoing several trials abroad and hopefully, this should be a sign of better things to come for him in his career,” Ugbade told NAN.

“We wish him well and we are glad that all the distraction about his club future has now been sorted out and now, he can concentrate on being a part and parcel of the U-20 team.”

The Flying Eagles are scheduled to play two friendly matches against the U-20 team of Ghana this month.

Both countries are preparing for the 2015 AYC, which is the 20th edition, scheduled for March in Senegal.

Nigeria, who have won the tournament a record six times, are in Group A alongside Senegal, Congo and Cote d’Ivoire.

Ghana are in Group B with South Africa, Mali and Zambia.

The semi-finalists in the competition will automatically qualify for the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup, which will take place in New Zealand from May 20 to June 30.