As we look forward to the 2023 AFCON in Cote D’Ivoire, www.aclsports.com through our Football Reporter Samuel Areo will via this section “AFCON Blues” bring you daily round-up on happenings in different camps of the teams and updates around the 34th edition of the continental showpiece.
Super Eagles squad number confirmed
CAF has revealed the squad numbers assigned to the Super Eagles ahead of the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.
Each of the 25 selected players has been allocated a jersey number ranging from 1 to 25. Skipper Ahmed Musa retains his favourite number 7 shirt, Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, who missed the last tournament in Cameroon, will dorn the esteemed number 9, and Omonia Nicosia goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, despite previous uncertainties about his position as the team’s first-choice goalkeeper, has been given the number 1 jersey.
Many players in the team retained the shirt number they have worn consistently over the past few years. Meanwhile, newly invited players Olorunleke Ojo, Stanley Nwabili, and Alhassan Yusuf will assume jersey numbers 16, 23, and 4, respectively.
Kelechi Iheanacho, recovering from a minor injury and has not joined the training camp in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, is confirmed to participate in the AFCON with the allocated number 14.
Nigeria will play a friendly match with Guinea on Monday, January 8, before heading for Lagos en route to their trip to Cote d’Ivoire on Wednesday for the 2023 AFCON, which begins on January 13.
Mauritania midfielder Abdallahi Mahmoud ruled out of 2023 AFCON
The Mauritanian Football Federation (FFRIM) has announced the withdrawal of midfielder Abdallahi Mahmoud from the 2023 AFCON due to a confirmed double fracture in his left arm.
The injury occurred during the Mourabitounes friendly match against their Tunisian counterpart on Saturday evening. The match ended goalless at the Stade Hammadi Agrebi in Radès, Tunis.
Mahmoud, who is currently on loan at Swiss club AC Bellinzona from Spanish Primera Liga side Deportivo Alaves, is hospitalised, and he is set to undergo surgery under the Federation’s supervision.
In the meantime, it is expected that coach Amir Abdou will name a replacement immediately as they look to make a mark at this year’s AFCON in just their third-ever appearance.
Pre-AFCON Friendlies
Tunisia 0-0 Mauritania
Mali 6-2 Guinea Bissau
DR Congo 0-0 Angola
Mozambique 2-0 Lesotho
Cote d’Ivoire 5-1 Sierra Leone
DR Congo 0-0 Angola
