NIGERIA: Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro, has announced his final 25-man squad for the forthcoming African Cup of Nations in Cote’d’Ivoire.
The African football showpiece will run from January 13 to February 11, 2024.
The Nigerian side, gunning for its fourth title, has been drawn in Group A alongside hosts Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea Bissau.
The Portuguese manager whose future is up in the air had in earlier December unveiled a 40-man provisional squad, including three goal-keepers from the local league.
However, in the final cut, Peseiro on Friday named African Footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen, captain, Ahmed Musa, and Chippa United goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabili.
Nwabili, drafted in to solve the team’s goalkeeping crisis is joined by long-standing first-choice, Francis Uzoho and Enyimba FC goal-stopper, Leke Ojo who is the only home-based player in the squad.
The return of captain, Musa is expected to raise some eyebrows from the fans who believe that his time in the team has lapsed.
The former Kano Pillars forward is not the only returnee, Vice-Captain William Troost-Ekong, is back in contention after missing the Eagles’ recent games over a reported rift with Peseiro.
FULL LIST
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabili (Chippa United, South Africa); Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus); Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba FC)
Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista FC, Portugal); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); William Troost-Ekong (PAOK Salonika, Greece); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa FC, Turkey); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal)
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Joe Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Sivasspor K, Turkey); Victor Osimhen (Napoli SC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany).
