By Daily sports on March 23, 2021
Everton’s Alex Iwobi and Rangers centre-back Leon Balogun have joined Nigeria’s camp as the number of invited players for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Benin Republic and Lesotho increased to 18 as at Monday night.
Former Arsenal star Iwobi was an 87th minute replacement for Mason Holgate as Carlo Ancelotti’s Toffees bowed 2-0 to Manchester City in Saturday’s FA Cup game at Goodison Park.
Elsewhere, Balogun provided an assist for Alfredo Morelos as Steven Gerrard’s Gers played a 1-1 draw with Celtic in Sunday’s Scottish Premiership showdown.
Captain Ahmed Musa, West Bromwich Albion’s Semi Ajayi, Fulham right-back Ola Aina and Watford centre-back William Troost-Ekong were the early arrivals for the important fixtures.
Galatasaray duo of Henry Onyekuru and Peter Etebo joined the team later alongside Boavista’s Chidozie Awaziem, AC Omonia’s Abdullahi Shehu and Abia Warriors’ Adekunle Adeleke.
Minutes after helping Enyimba subdue Sunshine Stars 1-0 in a Nigeria Professional Football League encounter at the Agege Stadium, the duo of Anayo Iwuala and John Noble teamed up with Gernot Rohr’s squad at the plush Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, Samuel Chukwueze, Kelechi Iheanacho, Wilfred Ndidi and Zaidu Sanusi are expected before lunchtime on Tuesday.
The three-time African champions will hold their first training session at the Teslim Balogun Stadium on Tuesday morning.
They will leave for Cotonou on Friday before taking on Michel Dussuyer’s Squirrels at Porto-Novo’s Stade Charles de Gaulle on Saturday.
Three days later, Nigeria take on the Crocodiles in their last Group L game. The Super Eagles who lead their zone with eight points from four games need at least a win to guarantee their place in Cameroon 2022.
Should that happen, that will be their 19th appearance at the finals since their maiden appearance in Ghana 1963 – where they crashed out in the preliminary round.
Rohr’s men finished third at Afcon 2019, Egypt after defeating Tunisia 1-0 to pick up the bronze medal thanks to Odion Ighalo’s third-minute effort at Cairo’s Al Salam Stadium.
Musa, Troost-Ekong, Aina, Ajayi, Onyekuru, Etebo, Adeleke, Awaziem, Shehu, Iwuala, Noble, Iwobi, Balogun, Joe Aribo, Tyronne Ebuehi, Maduka Okoye, Jamilu Collins and Paul Onuachu. (Goal)
•PHOTO: Super Eagles players
Source Daily sports
Posted March 23, 2021
You may also like...
Qatar consortium submits bid for Man United
Venus settles lawsuit related to fatal car crash...
EPL Results, Table
World Cup-bound Flamingos begin training camp in Abuja...
Rohr Invites Iheanacho, Omeruo, 21 Others for Ukraine...
Madueke’s Double Hands PSV Dutch Super Cup

Nip It In The Bud Now: Osimhen Must Be Genuinely Reached Out To • A DAILY SPORTS NIGERIA SURVEY
Nigeria vs Mozambique: Osimhen's attitude stinks as Iwobi steps out of Okocha's shadow
AFCON 2025: That pass was too good — Oliseh hails Super Eagles star with big impact
AFCON 2025: Super Eagles Coach, Eric Chelle Hints On Punishing Osimhen Over Bust-up With Lookman
'Not physically ready' - Djokovic out of Adelaide
Stop experiments and get manager who fits Man Utd DNA - Neville
No deal in place for Fury comeback
'It means the world to me' - Chelsea appoint Rosenior
Nigeria cruise past Mozambique into Afcon quarter-finals
Nigeria vs Mozambique: Super Eagles’ predicted XI – Lookman, Chukwueze, Osimhen to star in Chelle’s bullish setup
AFCON 2025: They couldn't qualify for the World Cup — Ex-Leeds star doubts Super Eagles chances in Morocco
Chukwueze charges teammates ahead knockout stage
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,450 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,732 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,633 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,304 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,233 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,150 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,000 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,568 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,748 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,272 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,663 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,135 views)