Iheanacho and Ajayi dropped from Nations Cup squad after Eagles play goalless draw with Zimbabwe

SUPER Eagles striker Ahmed Musa has expressed optimism that Nigeria can do well in the forthcoming African Cup of Nations starting in Egypt later this month after the team drew 0-0 with Zimbabwe yesterday in Asaba.

 

At the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba yesterday, the Eagles played a goalless draw with the Warriors of Zimbabwe. Head coach Gernot Rohr used it as his final selection match to determine the 23 players he will be taking to Egypt for the tournament that takes place between June 21 and July 19.

 

After the match, Leicester City's Kelechi Iheanacho and Rotherham United's Semi Ajayi were dropped from the team that will now play a pre-tournament friendly against Senegal on 16 June in the Egyptian city of Ismailia. After that, it will be down to serious business as Nigeria's opening match will be against Burundi on 22 June at the Alexandria Stadium.

 

Drawn in Group B, the Eagles will also be up against Guinea and Madagascar as they seek their fourth ever Nations Cup trophy. After the Zimbabwe game, Musa said he believes that the quality of strikers in Gernot Rohr’s side can take the three times African champions far in the competition.

 

Musa added: “As you can see we have a lot of strikers, it’s not only Ahmed Musa that is going to score. At the end of the (2018/19) season, we had a lot of strikers with 20, 17, 15 goals and I ended up with seven, so I think we have a very good opportunity to go far."

 

 

Nigeria's 23-man squad:

Goalkeepers:

Francis Uzoho (Anorthosis Famagusta, Cyprus)

Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Katsina United)

Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa)

 

Defenders:

Olaoluwa Aina (Torino, Italy)

Abdullahi Shehu (Bursaspor, Turkey)

Chidozie Awaziem (Rizespor, Turkey)

William Ekong (Udinese, Italy)

Leon Balogun (Brighton, England)

Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain)

Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany)

 

Midfielders:

John Mikel Obi (Middlesbrough, England)

Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England)

Oghenekaro Etebo (Stoke City, England)

John Ogu (Hapoel Be'er Sheva, Israel)

 

Forwards:

Ahmed Musa (Al Nassr, Saudi Arabia)

Victor Osimhen (Royal Charleroi, Belgium)

Moses Simon (Levante, Spain)

Henry Onyekuru (Galatasaray SK, Turkey)

Odion Ighalo (Shanghai Shenhua, China)

Alexander Iwobi (Arsenal, England)

Samuel Kalu (Girondins Bordeaux, France)

Paul Onuachu (FC Midtjylland, Denmark)

Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal, Spain)

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