FULL LIST: Osimhen, Ekong return as Labbadia names squad for AFCON qualifiers

August 27, 2024 8:53 pm

Victor Osimhen and William Troost-Ekong last featured for the Super Eagles at the AFCON in Cote d'Ivoire in February

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has released a 23-man squad for the Super Eagles’ 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification matches against the Benin Republic and Rwanda.

The games will be the first engagement of Bruno Labbadia, the newly appointed head coach of the team.

The German tactician called up Victor Osimhen and William Troost-Ekong. The two players last played for the Super Eagles in the final of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) held in Cote d’Ivoire early in the year.

Osimhen’s absence from the team led to a public fallout between the striker and the now-departed Finidi George.

Other returnees include Ola Aina, Taiwo Awoniyi and Olisa Ndah of Orlando Pirates.

Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman, Victor Boniface and Calvin Bassey also made the list for the forthcoming encounters.

The Eagles will face the Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on September 7 before flying to Kigali to play Rwanda three days later.

All the players are expected to report in Uyo on September 2.

FULL LIST

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Bendel Insurance FC)

Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Olisa Ndah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England)

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio FC. Italy); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)

Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla FC, Spain); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England)