The Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro has released his 40-man provisional squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.
The Portuguese named Captain Ahmed Musa, his assistant, William Troost-Ekong, and three home-based goalkeepers, as well as Chippa United of South Africa goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali.
Long-term absentees Kelechi Nwakali and Umar Sadiq of Real Sociedad are also make the listed.
However, Nottingham Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi is missing from the list after suffering a groin injury that forced him to withdraw from the Super Eagles squad during the World Cup qualifiers.
Apart from goalkeepers Francis Uzoho and Adebayo Adeleye, the Portuguese coach has also invited Ojo Olorunleke of Enyimba International of Aba, Amas Obasogie of Bendel Insurance, and Christian Nwoke of Sporting Lagos.
The preliminary list includes a diverse range of foreign-based professionals, with only one based in Africa.
Victor Osimhen, the newly crowned African Footballer of the Year, leads a cast of regular suspects that includes Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze, Kelechi Iheanacho, and Daddy Moses Simon.
Defender Kenneth Omeruo joined Musa on the list as the only two players to have previously won the AFCON.
The list also includes Belgium-based players Alhassan Yusuf, Jordan Torunarigha, and Kevin Akpoguma in the category of zero to three caps.
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Peseiro’s 40-man provisional squad will be reduced to 27 by January 3, just 11 days before facing Equatorial Guinea.
The three-time African champions are in the same group as the host country, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau, all of whom played Nigeria in the qualifiers.
Nigeria will face Equatorial Guinea in their first group match of the 2023 edition on January 14, 2024, before going on to face Ivory Coast and Equatorial Guinea in Group A.
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