AFCON qualifiers: Osimhen, Iheanacho make Eagles squad for Guinea Bissau games

March 16, 2023 6:26 pm

Jose Peseiro, the head coach of the Super Eagles, has named his 23-man squad for the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) double-header qualifying games against Guinea Bissau.

The list was unveiled in a statement released by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Thursday.

Peseiro called up the in-form Serie A duo of Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman as well as Kelechi Iheanacho and Terem Moffi.

Wilfred Ndidi returned to the midfield alongside Frank Onyeka, while Portugal-based Bruno Onyemaechi got his second call-up and opportunity to secure a permanent place in the team with William Troost-Ekong absent due to injury.

Two players — Daniel Bameyi, the team captain, and Chijioke Aniagboso, the goalkeeper –from the Flying Eagles side that finished third in the just concluded U20 AFCON were also called up.

Victor Sochima, goal tender for Rivers United, completed the list of newcomers.

Players are expected to start arriving at the team camp in Abuja on March 19.

Nigeria will play Guinea Bissau at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, at 5 pm on March 24, before proceeding for the second leg of the tie at the Estadio 24 de Setembro in Bissau three days later.

The Eagles are leaders of group A of the qualification round with six points from victories over Sierra Leone and Sao Tome and Principe.

ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS:

Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Victor Sochima (Rivers United); Kingsley Aniagboso (Giant Brillars)

Defenders: Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Kevin Akpoguma (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Calvin Bassey (FC Ajax, The Netherlands); Daniel Bameyi (YumYum FC); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal)

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Joe Aribo (Southampton, England)

Forwards: Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Ahmed Musa (Sivasspor K, Turkey); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal CF, Spain); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Paul Onuachu (Southampton FC, England)