Nigeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles, has unveiled its formidable 25-man roster for the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations tournament. The squad, carefully selected by manager Jose Peseiro, strikes a balance between seasoned veterans and emerging talents, aiming to secure a fourth continental crown.
In a surprising return, long-time captain Ahmed Musa is back in action, bringing his invaluable experience to the team after missing recent World Cup qualifiers. Musa joins tournament veterans like defender Kenneth Omeruo and midfielder Wilfred Ndidi. The squad also features sensational striker Victor Osimhen and winger Samuel Chukwueze, highlighting a mix of experience and youthful prowess.
The goalkeeping duties will be contested between Francis Uzoho and Stanley Nwabili, providing depth behind a sturdy defense led by William Troost-Ekong. The midfield showcases English Premier League talents, including Alex Iwobi, while the forward line boasts a formidable array of goal-scorers, with Victor Boniface making waves in the Bundesliga.
The team will undergo a training camp in Abu Dhabi from January 2-9 before heading to Ivory Coast. The Super Eagles kick off their Group A campaign on January 14 against Equatorial Guinea, with subsequent matches against the hosts and Guinea-Bissau.
As perennial contenders, Nigeria aims to add another title to their collection, with the last triumph in 2013. The talented and experienced squad aspires to replicate that success in 2024, although the inclusion of Musa raises questions about prioritizing experience over home-based talent. The tournament will reveal whether this decision pays off for the Super Eagles.
Full Squad:
Goalkeepers:
- Stanley Nwabili (Chippa United, South Africa)
- Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus)
- Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba FC, Nigeria)
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)
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