The Super Eagles of Nigeria have announced their final squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
Jose Peseiro's men have been drawn in Group A of the tournament where they will battle against Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau and host nation Ivory Coast for a place in the knockout phase.
With Nigeria one of the major favourites to win the upcoming AFCON, all eyes were on the Super Eagles camp to see which players made the cut from the 40-man provisional squad provided earlier.
If you think after seeing the final 25 man Super Eagles squad for AFCON I will still back them to bring the trophy home then you are absolutely correct. It’s coming home!!!🇳🇬🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/6xz07ER0Sy
— Yimzy (@oyimzy) December 29, 2023
Unsurprisingly, Victor Osimhen headlines the 25-man squad for Nigeria and will be looking to fire his nation to AFCON glory having scored the most goals during the qualifiers.
Super Eagles AFCON squad in full
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabili (Chippa United, South Africa); Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus); Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba FC)
Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista FC, Portugal); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); William Troost-Ekong (PAOK Salonika, Greece); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa FC, Turkey); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal)
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Joe Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Sivasspor K, Turkey); Victor Osimhen (Napoli SC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)
Despite missing the services of Taiwo Awoniyi through injury, the Super Eagles boast arguably the most firepower in attack of all AFCON sides.
However, huge question marks remain over their defensive set-up and goalkeeping options with Francis Uzoho far from convincing of late.
Nonetheless, former Super Eagles skipper John Obi Mikel has backed the current crop to go all the way and end an 11-year wait for continental glory.
All of the players called up by Peseiro are expected to report for duty on January 1, 2024, at the latest.
Alongside Burkina Faso and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria will take part in a three-nation tournament in Abu Dhabi as part of their preparation for the AFCON.
This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago
