Nigeria’s Super Eagles head coach, Austin Eguavoen, has announced the return of key players for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers this month.
Striker Victor Osimhen has been recalled to the squad, along with Real Sociedad forward Sadiq Umar and defender Gabriel Osho.
Osimhen missed Nigeria’s last matches against Libya in October due to an injury with his club, Galatasaray. He is now fit and expected to boost the team’s attack.
Osho steps in for Semi Ajayi, who is injured, while Sadiq takes the place of Taiwo Awoniyi, who was left out of the squad.
Defender Victor Collins from Nasarawa United is the only home-based player in the lineup, marking his first call-up to the national team.
The Super Eagles need just one point from these qualifiers to secure their spot in next year’s AFCON tournament, following the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) decision to award Nigeria three points from the abandoned game against Libya.
The Super Eagles are set to face Benin Republic on Thursday, November 14, at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan. They will then host Rwanda for the final match at Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
Full Squad List:
– Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce, Turkey), Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista, Portugal), Gabriel Osho (AJ Auxerre, France), Calvin Bassey (Fulham, England), Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England), Victor Collins (Nasarawa United).
– Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium), Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA), Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio, Italy), Frank Onyeka (Augsburg, Germany), Alex Iwobi (Fulham, England).
– Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy), Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray, Turkey), Ademola Lookman (Atalanta, Italy), Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla, Spain), Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France), Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain).
Nigeria’s journey towards AFCON qualification continues as the team aims to secure the final points needed to reach the tournament.
