Nigeria's national team head coach, Jose Peseiro, has submitted a preliminary 40-player list to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.
There are some noticeable omissions from the list, including Gift Orban, Gent forward, and experienced defender Leon Balogun.
Goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye, who was invited in the last call-up is also another surprising omission from the 40-man list.
While the Nigeria Football Federation hasn't officially confirmed the list, the 40-man roster comprises six goalkeepers, 13 defenders, 8 midfielders, and 13 forwards, as reported by ACL Sports.
Surprisingly, the list sees the return of Kelechi Nwakali, the former Golden Eaglets captain, and the inclusion of Sporting Lagos goalkeeper, Christian Nwoke.
Goalkeepers Amas Obasogie, Ojo Olorunleke, and Nwoke are the only home-based players included.
Francis Uzoho, Adebayo Adeleye, and Chippa United's first choice Stanley Nwabali make up the six goalkeepers shortlisted.
The roster features a mix of seasoned veterans and returning players like Ahmed Musa and William Troost-Ekong, Porto defender Zaidu Sanusi, and Paul Onuachu are also included in the provisional list.
Noteworthy comebacks include Troost-Ekong and Kevin Akpoguma, while some regulars like Francis Uzoho, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, and Victor Osimhen make expected appearances.
The provisional squad boasts familiar names across various positions. In defense, it includes William Troost-Ekong, Kevin Akpoguma, Kenneth Omeruo, and other notable players who will contend for spots in the final squad.
In midfield, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, and Joe Aribo lead the pack, alongside newcomers like Kelechi Nwakali.
For the attacking lineup, the squad incorporates a diverse range of forwards, such as Victor Osimhen, Emmanuel Dennis, Paul Onuachu, and Ahmed Musa, among others.
The provisional list aims to be trimmed down to 27 players by January 3, 2024, before the tournament begins.
Nigeria, striving for their fourth AFCON title, gears up to compete in Group A against Equatorial Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, and Guinea-Bissau.
Their campaign kicks off on January 14, 2024, with a match against Equatorial Guinea, followed by subsequent group-stage encounters against Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea-Bissau on January 18 and January 22, respectively.
The announced provisional roster signals a mix of experience and fresh talent, signaling the Super Eagles' ambition to triumph in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire.
Super Eagles’ AFCON 2023 40-man provisional squad:
Goalkeepers
1. Francis Uzoho
2. Adebayo Adeleye
3. Ojo Olorunleke
4. Stanley Nwabali
5. Amas Obasogie
6. Christian Nwoke
Defenders
1. Ola Aina
2. Bright Osayi-Samuel
3. Tyronne Ebuehi
4. Jamilu Collins
5. Zaidu Sanusi
6. Bruno Onyemaechi
7. William Troost-Ekong
8. Semi Ajayi
9. Calvin Bassey
10. Kenneth Omeruo
11. Kevin Akpoguma
12. Chidozie Awaziem
13. Jordan Torunarigha
Midfielders
1. Wilfred Ndidi
2. Frank Onyeka
3. Joe Aribo
4. Alex Iwobi
5. Alhassan Yusuf
6. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru
7. Raphael Onyedika Nwadike
8. Kelechi Nwakali
Attackers
1. Victor Osimhen
2. Victor Boniface
3. Terem Moffi
4. Umar Sadiq
5. Ahmed Musa
6. Paul Onuachu
7. Cyriel Dessers
8. Ademola Lookman
9. Nathan Tella
10. Moses Simon
11. Emmanuel Dennis
12. Samuel Chukwueze
13. Kelechi Iheanacho
There are some noticeable omissions from the list, including Gift Orban, Gent forward, and experienced defender Leon Balogun.
Goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye, who was invited in the last call-up is also another surprising omission from the 40-man list.
While the Nigeria Football Federation hasn't officially confirmed the list, the 40-man roster comprises six goalkeepers, 13 defenders, 8 midfielders, and 13 forwards, as reported by ACL Sports.
Surprisingly, the list sees the return of Kelechi Nwakali, the former Golden Eaglets captain, and the inclusion of Sporting Lagos goalkeeper, Christian Nwoke.
Goalkeepers Amas Obasogie, Ojo Olorunleke, and Nwoke are the only home-based players included.
Francis Uzoho, Adebayo Adeleye, and Chippa United's first choice Stanley Nwabali make up the six goalkeepers shortlisted.
The roster features a mix of seasoned veterans and returning players like Ahmed Musa and William Troost-Ekong, Porto defender Zaidu Sanusi, and Paul Onuachu are also included in the provisional list.
Noteworthy comebacks include Troost-Ekong and Kevin Akpoguma, while some regulars like Francis Uzoho, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, and Victor Osimhen make expected appearances.
The provisional squad boasts familiar names across various positions. In defense, it includes William Troost-Ekong, Kevin Akpoguma, Kenneth Omeruo, and other notable players who will contend for spots in the final squad.
In midfield, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, and Joe Aribo lead the pack, alongside newcomers like Kelechi Nwakali.
For the attacking lineup, the squad incorporates a diverse range of forwards, such as Victor Osimhen, Emmanuel Dennis, Paul Onuachu, and Ahmed Musa, among others.
The provisional list aims to be trimmed down to 27 players by January 3, 2024, before the tournament begins.
Nigeria, striving for their fourth AFCON title, gears up to compete in Group A against Equatorial Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, and Guinea-Bissau.
Their campaign kicks off on January 14, 2024, with a match against Equatorial Guinea, followed by subsequent group-stage encounters against Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea-Bissau on January 18 and January 22, respectively.
The announced provisional roster signals a mix of experience and fresh talent, signaling the Super Eagles' ambition to triumph in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire.
Super Eagles’ AFCON 2023 40-man provisional squad:
Goalkeepers
1. Francis Uzoho
2. Adebayo Adeleye
3. Ojo Olorunleke
4. Stanley Nwabali
5. Amas Obasogie
6. Christian Nwoke
Defenders
1. Ola Aina
2. Bright Osayi-Samuel
3. Tyronne Ebuehi
4. Jamilu Collins
5. Zaidu Sanusi
6. Bruno Onyemaechi
7. William Troost-Ekong
8. Semi Ajayi
9. Calvin Bassey
10. Kenneth Omeruo
11. Kevin Akpoguma
12. Chidozie Awaziem
13. Jordan Torunarigha
Midfielders
1. Wilfred Ndidi
2. Frank Onyeka
3. Joe Aribo
4. Alex Iwobi
5. Alhassan Yusuf
6. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru
7. Raphael Onyedika Nwadike
8. Kelechi Nwakali
Attackers
1. Victor Osimhen
2. Victor Boniface
3. Terem Moffi
4. Umar Sadiq
5. Ahmed Musa
6. Paul Onuachu
7. Cyriel Dessers
8. Ademola Lookman
9. Nathan Tella
10. Moses Simon
11. Emmanuel Dennis
12. Samuel Chukwueze
13. Kelechi Iheanacho