The national U-20 team, Flying Eagles, will depart today for the crucial junior Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Burundi in Bujumbura on Saturday.
This is even as Victor Osimhen and Kelechi Nwakali are top on the list of 18 players selected by Coach Emmanuel Amuneke for qualifying match.
Aliyu Lawal Ibrahim, team secretary, revealed that the Nigeria delegation would fly out of Abuja aboard an Ethiopian Airline plane on Wednesday.
The Flying Eagles squad is predictably dominated by players from the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup winning team led by Amuneke in Chile.
Nwakali, named the Player of the Tournament at the FIFA U-17 World Cup finals in Chile, where Nigeria scooped a fifth title, is joined by tournament best scorer, Victor Osimhen, and Bronze Boot winner, Samuel Chukwueze.
There are also goalkeeper Akpan Udoh, defenders Ejike Ikwu, John Lazarus and Udochukwu Anumudu, midfielders Orji Okonkwo and Kingsley Michael and forwards Chukwudi Agor and Chinedu Madueke.
Nigeria and Burundi clash in a second round, first leg qualifying tie at the Prince Louis Stadium in Bujumbura on Saturday, starting from 3pm Burundi time (1pm Nigeria time). The winner of this fixture will confront Sudan in the final qualifying round. Zambia will host the finals of the 2017 CAF U-20 Cup of Nations.