Nigeria Under-23 national team head coach Samson Siasia has included the trio of Taiwo Awoniyi, Kelechi Iheanacho and Moses Simon for the Africa Under-23 Cup of Nations.
The three youngsters, who are highly-regarded, are among 16 overseas players called up by Siasia for the tournament billed to hold in Senegal from next month.
But Siasia did not stop at just calling up the trio as he handed invitations to other foreign-based players like Azubuike Okechukwu, Junior Ajayo, Wilfred Ndidi, Isaac Success, Shehu Abdullahi, Alex Iwobi, Kingsley Madu, Paul Onuachu, Stanlet Amuzie and goalkeeper Dele Alampasu among others.
However, it is unclear if the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has been able to secure the release of these players for the African tournament which are at a time the employers of the overseas players will be deeply involved in their domestic league and cup competitions.
Siasia has also called up 36 players from the Nigerian league as well as non-league sides.
The Sunshine Stars quintet of Dayo Ojo, Prince Aggreh, Stephen Eze, Seun Olulayo and Kingsley Eduwo are among those called up as well as Chima Akas, Daniel Etor, Oghenekaro Etebo, Usman Mohammed, Christian Pyagbara and Stanley Dimgba.
Also, among the Nigerian-based top stars in the list are Kano Pillars defender Zaharadeen Bello as well as Kufre Ebong, Nzube Anaezemba, Godspower Aniefiok and Adamu Murtala.
The Africa Under-23 Cup of Nations will be held between November 28 and December 12.
Foreign-based players
Azubuike Okechukwu (Yeni Malatyaspor, Turkey), Junior Ajayi (CS Sfaxien, Tunisia), Taiwo Awoniyi (FSV Frankfurt, Germany), Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City, England), Moses Simon (KAA Gent Belgium), Wilfred Ndidi (Genk, Belgium), Isaac Success (Granada, Spain), Dele Alampasu (Estoril, Portugal), Shehu Abdullahi (Uniao Da Madeira, Portugal), Alex Iwobi (Arsenal, England), Kingsley Madu (AS Trencin, Slovenia), Vin Solomon Otabor (Birmingham, England), Uche Ikpeazu (Port Vale FC, England), Stanley Amuzie (Olhanense, Portugal), Aminu Umar (Osmanlispor, Turkey), Paul Onuachu (FC Midtjylland, Denmark)
Nigeria-based players
Emmanuel Daniel (Enugu Rangers), Yusuf Mohammed (Kano Pillars), Emmanuel Iwu (Heartland), Segun Oduduwa (Nath Boys), Sincere Seth, Erhun Obanor (Abia Warriors), Chima Akas (Sharks), Daniel Etor (Enyimba), Oghenekaro Etebo (Warri Wolves), Godwin Aguda (Enugu Rangers), Usman Mohammed (FC Taraba), Ndifreke Effiong (Abia Warriors), Chukwuebuka Iroha (Diamond FC), Austine Oladapo (FC Ifeanyiubah), Christian Pyagbara (Sharks), Stanley Dimgba (Warri Wolves), Semiu Liadi (Warri Wolves), Godspower Aniefiok (Kano Pillars), Ifeanyi Matthew (El-Kanemi), Bright Onyeadikachi (FC Ifeanyiubah), Prince Aggreh (Sunshine Stars), Mustapha Abdullahi (Spotlight FC), Adamu Murtala (Kano Pillars), Zaharadeen Bello (Kano Pillars), Dayo Ojo (Sunshine Stars), Seun Olulayo (Sunshine Stars), Tiongoli Tonbara (Bayelsa United), Kufre Ebong (Warri Wolves), Kingsley Eduwo (Sunshine Stars), Stephens Eze (Sunshine Stars), Nzube Anaezemba (Enyimba), Charles Chukwudi (Plateau United), Daniel Emmanson (Akwa United), Ibrahim Alhassan (Heart FC, Kano), Adebayo Ajadi (36 Lion)