NFF name 28-man Nations Cup squad as it gets set to name José Morais as new Eagles manager

NIGERIAN Football Federation (NFF) officials are all set to officially name Portuguese coach José Morais as the new Super Eagles manager as it announces its 28-man squad for the forthcoming 33rd African Cup of Nations due to start next month.

On January 9, Cameroon 2021 will kick off in Yaounde, with Nigeria's tournament beginning on the 11th with an opener against Egypt. Yesterday, Nigeria named its list of 28 players who will be going to the tournament, with a few surprises, including a call-up for the former Arsenal midfielder Kelechi Nwakali.

More surprising, however, is the fact that the NFF is expected to name Jose Morais, the Portuguese coach of Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal as the new Super Eagles manager before the tournament begins. Up until this week, another Portuguese manager Jose Peseiro, a former Real Madrid assistant coach and FC Porto head coach had been certain to get the job but it now appears that the NFF has done a U-turn.

Mr Morais was thought to be reluctant to take the job earlier but he now appears to have had a change of heart and had told the NFF that he is willing to start work. Both coaches were recommended by Jose Mourinho but according to the NFF, Mr Morais has a better CV than Mr Peseiro, having won three league titles in two different countries.

If Mr Morais accepts the job over the next few days, his first task will be to receive the 28 players just invited to camp by the NFF. Announced yesterday, the squad includes four goalkeepers, nine defenders, five midfielders and 10 forwards, including Napoli's Victor Osimhen, who had been thought doubtful with injury.

All invited players, bar the UK-based members, are expected to arrive in the Abuja camp on December 29, with the UK ones expected to start arriving on Monday, January 3.  Among the new arrivals are former U17 World Cup winning captain Kelechi Nwakali, striker Emmanuel Dennis and 2016 Olympics star Sadiq Umar.

Full squad

Goalkeepers:

Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus); John Noble (Enyimba FC); Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

Defenders:

Chidozie Awaziem (Alanyaspor FC, Turkey); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Abdullahi Shehu (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Olisa Ndah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa)

Midfielders:

Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Galsgow Rangers, Scotland); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Kelechi Nwakali (SD Huesca, Spain)

Forwards:

Ahmed Musa (Fatih Karagumruk, Turkey); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Sadiq Umar (UD Almeria, Spain); Taiwo Awoniyi (Union Berlin, Germany); Odion Jude Ighalo (Al-Shabab Riyadh, Saudi Arabia); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Emmanuel Dennis (Watford FC, England)

As comprehensive as the 28-man squad list appears, it still leaves out some very talented stars whose exclusion has raised a few eyebrows. While Napoli’s Victor Osimhen made a remarkable recovery from his facial injuries, the same cannot be said of Watford’s Oghenekaro Etebo and Genk’s Paul Onuachu, who will both miss out.

Five other players who were at Egypt 2019 but will not be in Cameroon are Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Samuel Kalu, John Ogu, Henry Onyekuru, and Mikel Obi. Also, despite being in top form, Trabzonspor’s Anthony Nwakaeme, Slavia Prague’s Peter Olayinka, Feyenoord’s Cyriel Dessers, Hoffenheim’s Kevin Akpoguma and Glasgow Rangers defender Calvin Bassey all miss out too.

 Terem Moffi’s of Lorient, Venezia’s Tyronne Ebuehi and West Bromwich Albion's Semi Ajayi also all miss the tournament. So too do the English-born trio made up of Bordeaux’s Josh Maja, Leicester City’s Ademola Lookman, and Reading’s Ovie Ejaria.

Super Eagles absentee’s best XI:

(GK) Ezenwa; (RB) Ebuehi, (CB) Akpoguma, (CB) Ajayi, (LB) Bassey; (RW) Lookman, (CM) Etebo, (CM) Ejaria, (LW) Nwakaeme; (ST) Onuachu, (ST) Dessers.