Behold, Nigeria’s AFCON 2023 soldiers News

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Behold, Nigeria’s AFCON 2023 soldiers

By Daily Sports Nigeria on December 30, 2023

Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro, announced his final 25-man squad for the forthcoming African Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast on Friday. PUNCH Sports Extra analyses each player in the squad eyeing a fourth AFCON trophy

Stanley Nwabili (Chippa United)

Nwabili is one of the two goalkeepers in the Eagles squad making their debut at the tournament.

The Chippa United goalie already been capped by the home-based Eagles, has being in great form keeping seven clean sheets in 14 games conceding 12 goals in South Africa’s topflight division.

Francis Uzoho

Under-fire goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, will be the under spotlight when the AFCON tournament kicks-off in two weeks. The 24-year-old’s form for the Eagles has been the talking point following the recent results of the team against Saudi Arabia, Mozambique, Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
The Omonia Nicosia stopper has been inactive this season playing four times for his club and conceding six times.

Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba)

Enyimba’s first choice will battle Stanley Nwabili for the second choice position. Ojo is the only player from the Nigerian Professional Football League in the squad and he has blown hot and cold for the Elephant this term despite their recent impressive results.

Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto)

Sanusi is one of the surprise inclusion in the Eagles squad for the tournament having recently recovered from a muscle injury. He has one goal to his name in nine appearances in 647 minutes of action.

Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest)

Fit-again Ola Aina will be making his third AFCON appearance in Ivory Coast having featured at the last two editions in Egypt and Cameroon. The right-back has made 13 appearances scoring a goal and making an assist for Nottingham Forest helping the Tricky Trees keep three clean sheets in the Premier League. William Troost-Ekong (PAOK)

Troost-Ekong has become one of the stalwarts in the Eagles squad since he dumped Holland, the country of his birth and who he represented at youth levels, for Nigeria.

Despite being left out from the squad for over a year, the PAOK defender is one of the most consistent Nigerian centre backs in Europe this season. So far this term, he played 21 times providing one assist. Ekong has continued to prove himself as the undisputed top choice at the heart of defence but it remains to be seen if he will be a starter in Ivory Coast.

Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista)

Another AFCON debutant in the Eagles squad, Onyemaechi who has made 12 appearances for Boavista in the Portuguese league this season has one assist. He is expected to be the first choice at the tournament barring in mind Sanusi’s fitness level.

Bright Osayi-Samuel

Undoubtedly the Eagles undisputed right-back heading into the 34th edition of the AFCON, Osayi-Samuel is one of Nigeria’s players who have been in excellent form since the start of tue 2023/24 season.

The 25-year-old has appeared 24 times for Fenerbahce across all competitions this season, scoring two goals and registering four assists.

The Nigerian is one of Europe’s defender with highest number of assists this term.

His service on tue right flank will definitely help the team draw out opponents when the AFCON kicks off.

Kenneth Omeruo

Nigeria’s most experience defenders at the moment, the 30-year-old is set for his fourth Africa Cup of Nations outings in Ivory Coast.

Omeruo was part of the Eagles squad that conquered the continent in 2013 and he will hope to use his wealth of experience guide the team to another victory next year.

The former Leganes man has been in good form for his Turkish club, Kasimpasa, scoring one goal and registering two assists in 16 league matches.

Calvin Bassey

It’s been a mixed success for Bassey so far this season but his performance was enough to convince Peseiro to hand the defender a spot on the team.

It is going to be Bassey’s first AFCON appearance and he will hope to give a good account of himself.

The 23-year-old has been heavily criticised for his underwhelming performance for the Eagles but now he has a chance to prove his doubters wrong in Abidjan.

Bassey has been a regular for Fulham this campaign and has made 17 appearances for the Cottagers.

Semi Ajayi

Often deployed as a centre back, Ajayi has always performed decently when playing for Nigeria.

Not the type of player that makes the headline every week, the 30-year-old is a very reliable player any day and Peseiro will hope he can help the team from conceding cheap goals.

Wilfred Ndidi

Arguably one of the Eagles most in-form players heading to the Nations Cup in Ivory Coast. Ndidi’s position in the team was never in doubt as the midfielder has been in fine form for Leicester City in the Championship as they battle to return back to the English Premier League.

The 27-year-old has played in an advance role this season and has shown his versatility under his new boss scoring four goals and assisting six in 23 games.

Peseiro will hope that Ndidi can replicate his Leicester form for the Eagles as they hope to win the AFCON title for the fourth time.

Alex Iwobi

Just as his midfield comrade, Iwobi was one of the players whose spot in the team was never under any threat. The Everton man has settled in very well since his move to Fulham in the summer despite being played in different roles.

In 17 Premier League games, the 27-year-old has scored three goals while registering one assist. If the Eagles are to stand any chance of going far at the AFCON they will need Iwobi to be at his best.

Joe Aribo

Aribo will be relieved to have made the final 25-man list owing to his poor form and lack of game time with Southampton.

Before Peseiro announced his final squad, few minutes before the kickoff between Southampton and Plymouth, Aribo played 18 out of the 25 matches played in the Championship, scoring just a goal.

The 27-year-old was sparingly used by his club side starting just seven out of the 25 games. Lately, the midfielder seems to have rediscovered his potential and has started all five of the Saints last games.

It remains to be seen if the former Rangers man will be able to continue his rich vein of form in Ivory Coast.

Frank Onyeka (Brentford, England)

Onyeka has been a key player for Brentford in the Premier League this season and Peseiro will hope he can be as pivotal for the Eagles squad. Onyeka will be attending his second AFCON competition with the Super Eagles.

His ability to control the game and contribute defensively makes him an essential addition to the Nigerian midfield. Since his debut in 2020, he has made 14 appearances for the Eagles scoring one goal

Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium)

Onyedika is another prospective AFCON debutant as the 22-year-old versatile midfielder brings his skill and creativity to the Eagles squad and made his national team debut in 2022.

Onyedika has scored one goal and provided one assist at Club Brugge this season while he has made three appearances and provided one assist for the Super Eagles.

Victor Osimhen (Napoli, Italy)

Set for his second AFCON appearance, the reigning African Player of the Year has proven to be a key player for Napoli and the Super Eagles. Since his senior team debut in 2017, he has made 27 appearances and has scored 20 goals.

With seven goals in 13 Serie A games this season, Osimhen is in fine form and will be keen to continue the run in Ivory Coast next year.

Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)

Boniface is set for his debut appearance at the AFCON after making a brilliant start to life in Germany for Bayer Leverkusen. With 16 goals and seven assists in all competitions this season, the 23-year-old has been an asset to his club. His performances on the field have demonstrated his potential as a top-class forward, and he is expected to bring that same level of excellence to the Eagles squad.

Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France)

Having missed out on mutiple major tournaments through injuries, Simon will be pleased to be in the Eagles squad for the AFCON. With a record of 60 appearances and nine goals for the Eagles, Simon’s presence adds depth and experience to the forward line.

His contribution of three goals and three assists this season at FC Nantes in the Ligue 1 see him poised to make an impact for the Nigerian national team at AFCON.

Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy)

Atalanta forward, Lookman, is one of those set to make their AFCON debut at this tournament. Lookman’s skillful and creative style of play has been a highlight for Atalanta FC, where he has scored six goals and provided three assists in 13 Serie A appearances this season.

His inclusion in the Eagles squad adds versatility and attacking flair to the team’s forward line and he will be keen to add to his two goals for Nigeria and 10 appearances.

Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy)

Chukwueze brings his electrifying talent to the Eagles squad as he gears up for his second AFCON competition. At AC Milan, he has scored two goals and provided one assist in 17 appearances.

His ability to take on defenders and create scoring opportunities makes him a valuable asset to the Eagles. He has scored five goals in 30 appearances for the Super Eagles.

Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England)

Iheanacho has been in fine form for the Foxes with six goals and two assists provided in all competitions this season. His goal-scoring prowess and attacking instincts make him a valuable addition to the Super Eagles.

Iheanacho has scored 15 goals in 50 appearances for the Nigeria national team and will be keen to add to that tally in his second AFCON competition.

Umar Sadiq (Real Sociedad, Spain)

At the beginning of the season, it seemed like Sadiq would not make the Super Eagles squad for the AFCON but injuries to Terem Moffi and Awoniyi and his recent fine form in LaLiga for Real Sociedad have won him a place in the Nigeria team.

This will be Sadiq’s second AFCON tournament. The 26-year-old has made 10 appearances for the Super Eagles and has scored one goal.

Ahmed Musa (Sivasspor, Turkey)

Super Eagles captain, Musa, is set to bring his wealth of experience to the Eagles squad at AFCON. At 31 years old, Musa’s leadership and goal-scoring ability have been influential throughout his career, and his presence provides depth to the Nigerian forward line.

Musa is the most capped Eagle ever and was part of the team that last lifted the AFCON trophy in 2013. He has scored a total of 16 goals in 108 appearances for the Super Eagles.

Source Punch Ng

Posted December 30, 2023