Peseiro names 23-man squad for Nations Cup qualifiers with surprise recall for ageing Musa

 

SUPER Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro named a 23-man squad for Nigeria's forthcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Guinea Bissau with seven English-based players in the team.

 

After winning their first two qualifiers, the Super Eagles lead Group A and two victories against Guinea Bissau will secure qualification.  On March 24, the Eagles will play the first leg at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja and then three days later, the reverse fixture will hold at the Estadio 24 de Setembro in Bissau.

 

As expected, all the big names like Napoli's Victor Osimhen, Everton’s Alex Iwobi and the Leicester City duo of Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi are in the squad. Also present are Villarreal winger Samuel Chukwueze, Atlanta's Ademola Lookman and Southampton midfielder Joe Aribo.

 

However, Nottingham Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi has not been called up, neither has Watford goalkeeper Maduka Okoye. In Awoniyi's case, he is still on his way back to full fitness, while Okoye, has not been seeing regular action with his club.

 

Extending invitations to several young players, Peseiro has called up Flying Eagles Daniel Bameyi and  Chijioke Aniagboso, as well as Rivers United goalkeeper Victor Sochima. Surprisingly, however, he then extended an invitation to Ahmed Musa, who had apparently retired from international football.

 

Full squad

 

Goalkeepers:

Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Victor Sochima (Rivers United); Kingsley Aniagboso (Giant Brillars)

 

Defenders:

Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Kevin Akpoguma (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Calvin Bassey (FC Ajax, The Netherlands); Daniel Bameyi (YumYum FC); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal)

 

Midfielders:

Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Joe Aribo (Southampton, England)

 

Forwards:

Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Ahmed Musa (Sivasspor K, Turkey); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal CF, Spain); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Paul Onuachu (Southampton FC, England)

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