Super Eagles manager Jose Peseiro called up nine African Cup of Nations debutants to his squad ahead of the biggest African national teams' tournament in Ivory Coast.
Futballnews brings to your attention the nine players who will be representing the Super Eagles for the first time in the African Cup of Nations.
1 Calvin Bassey
The Fulham center back caught the attention of Super Eagles manager Peseiro due to his stellar performances in the Premier League this season. He made 18 appearances for the Cottagers.
Bassey is going to make his first AFCON appearance for the Super Eagles.
The 23-year-old was criticized previously for his poor performances for the Super Eagles after making his debut on March 25, 2022, but now the tournament in Abidjan is an opportunity for him to prove doubters wrong.
2. Ademola Lookman
The Atalanta midfielder missed the 2021 AFCON due to the fact that he was not quickly cleared by FIFA to play for the Super Eagles after he switched allegiances from England. He has been selected to represent the Super Eagles in the 2023 AFCON.
It is going to be his first African Cup of Nations for the left winger. His addition to the Super Eagles attack will add creativity and versatility.
The attacker had been in fine form for Serie A giant Atalanta, scoring seven goals and creating three assists in 18 appearances.
3 Terem Moffi
The striker was called up to replace injured Bayer Leverkusen attacker Victor Boniface. Moffi made his international debut on June 20, 2021, scoring four goals in 14 games.
The OGC Nice striker has been an important player for the French side, scoring six goals in 16 appearances.
4 Raphael Onyedika
Onyedika has earned a comparison with Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba since 2023. He is expected to bring a lot of creativity to the Super Eagles squad.
Onyedika made his national team debut on September 27, 2022, and proceeded to make three appearances for the Super Eagles with an assist.
Since the midfielder joined Club Brugge in August 2022, he has made 72 appearances, scoring a goal and creating an assist.
5 Alhassan Yusuf
The Royal Antwerp midfielder was called up by the Super Eagles manager to replace Wilfred Ndidi, who is out of the African Cup of Nations due to injury.
Although he is not on an equal level with Ndidi, his ability to win the ball is top-notch. The midfielder won the double with Royal Antwerp last season.
This season, he made 23 appearances, scoring a goal and creating three assists in all competitions.
6 Bright Osayi-Samuel
The right back is one of the Nigerian players who have been in excellent form since the beginning of the 2023–24 season.
The 25-year-old defender had made 24 appearances this season for Fenerbahce, scoring two goals and creating four assists in all competitions.
7. Stanley Nwabali
Nwabali is one of the two goalkeepers that will be making their Super Eagles debut in the African Cup of Nations.
The goalkeeper had been in fine form for Chippa United in the South African League, keeping seven clean sheets in 15 games. He conceded just 14 goals in all competitions this season.
8 Olorunleke Ojo
The Enyimba First Choice will battle the other goalkeepers for first place in the African Cup of Nations.
Ojo is the only player from the Nigerian Premier Football League in the Super Eagles squad.
9.Bruno Onyemaechi
The defender will battle Zaidu Sanusi for the left-back position.
The Nigerian had made 12 appearances for Portuguese Boastiva this season, providing one assist in all competitions. Onyemaechi is also capable of playing as a center-back.
He officially made his national team debut on September 10, 2023, in a game against São Tomé and Principe in the final group game of the AFCON qualifiers.
Futballnews brings to your attention the nine players who will be representing the Super Eagles for the first time in the African Cup of Nations.
1 Calvin Bassey
The Fulham center back caught the attention of Super Eagles manager Peseiro due to his stellar performances in the Premier League this season. He made 18 appearances for the Cottagers.
Bassey is going to make his first AFCON appearance for the Super Eagles.
The 23-year-old was criticized previously for his poor performances for the Super Eagles after making his debut on March 25, 2022, but now the tournament in Abidjan is an opportunity for him to prove doubters wrong.
2. Ademola Lookman
The Atalanta midfielder missed the 2021 AFCON due to the fact that he was not quickly cleared by FIFA to play for the Super Eagles after he switched allegiances from England. He has been selected to represent the Super Eagles in the 2023 AFCON.
It is going to be his first African Cup of Nations for the left winger. His addition to the Super Eagles attack will add creativity and versatility.
The attacker had been in fine form for Serie A giant Atalanta, scoring seven goals and creating three assists in 18 appearances.
3 Terem Moffi
The striker was called up to replace injured Bayer Leverkusen attacker Victor Boniface. Moffi made his international debut on June 20, 2021, scoring four goals in 14 games.
The OGC Nice striker has been an important player for the French side, scoring six goals in 16 appearances.
4 Raphael Onyedika
Onyedika has earned a comparison with Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba since 2023. He is expected to bring a lot of creativity to the Super Eagles squad.
Onyedika made his national team debut on September 27, 2022, and proceeded to make three appearances for the Super Eagles with an assist.
Since the midfielder joined Club Brugge in August 2022, he has made 72 appearances, scoring a goal and creating an assist.
5 Alhassan Yusuf
The Royal Antwerp midfielder was called up by the Super Eagles manager to replace Wilfred Ndidi, who is out of the African Cup of Nations due to injury.
Although he is not on an equal level with Ndidi, his ability to win the ball is top-notch. The midfielder won the double with Royal Antwerp last season.
This season, he made 23 appearances, scoring a goal and creating three assists in all competitions.
6 Bright Osayi-Samuel
The right back is one of the Nigerian players who have been in excellent form since the beginning of the 2023–24 season.
The 25-year-old defender had made 24 appearances this season for Fenerbahce, scoring two goals and creating four assists in all competitions.
7. Stanley Nwabali
Nwabali is one of the two goalkeepers that will be making their Super Eagles debut in the African Cup of Nations.
The goalkeeper had been in fine form for Chippa United in the South African League, keeping seven clean sheets in 15 games. He conceded just 14 goals in all competitions this season.
8 Olorunleke Ojo
The Enyimba First Choice will battle the other goalkeepers for first place in the African Cup of Nations.
Ojo is the only player from the Nigerian Premier Football League in the Super Eagles squad.
9.Bruno Onyemaechi
The defender will battle Zaidu Sanusi for the left-back position.
The Nigerian had made 12 appearances for Portuguese Boastiva this season, providing one assist in all competitions. Onyemaechi is also capable of playing as a center-back.
He officially made his national team debut on September 10, 2023, in a game against São Tomé and Principe in the final group game of the AFCON qualifiers.