Osimhen, Musa return to Super Eagles squad for AFCON2023Q against Guinea Bissau…
Head Coach José Peseiro has invited team captain Ahmed Musa, forward Victor Osimhen and 21 other players to the Super Eagles’ camp, ahead of this month’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers doubleheader against the Djurtus of Guinea Bissau.
Musa, 30, has not played for Nigeria since June when the Super Eagles defeated Sao Tome and Principe. Just like the Skipper, Osimhen missed the games against Algeria in September and the pre World Cup friendly against Portugal in November due to an ankle injury, but both have been called up for this match day three and four games.
Osimhen helped Napoli reach the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals on Wednesday night taking his season tally to 23 goals from 28 appearances.
Also returning to the side is Portugal-based left back Zaidu Sanusi. Meanwhile, Spain-based defender Kenneth Omeruo is also back in the mix, as midfield enforcers Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka, and Portugal-based defender Bruno Onyemaechi is handed an opportunity in the defence.
Everton midfielder Alex Iwobi, Joe Aribo, Kelechi Iheanacho, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Terem Moffi and Paul Onuachu are also called.
Meanwhile, Francis Uzoho is expected to be in goal for the games as other regular goalkeepers, Adebayo Adeleye and Maduka Okoye, have been replaced by in-form Rivers United shot-stopper Victor Sochima and Nigeria’s goalkeeper at the just concluded U20 AFCON in Egypt, Chijioke Aniagboso. Also invited from Ladan Bosso’s bronze winning team is captain Daniel Bameyi.
The invited players are expected to start arriving at the team camp in Abuja on Sunday, 19th March.
Nigeria and Guinea Bissau clash in the AFCON2023Q at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja from 5pm on Friday, 24th March, and then make it a second date at the Estadio 24 de Setembro in Bissau on Monday, 27th March, also starting from 5pm.
Nigeria have six points from the first two games against Sierra Leone and Sao Tome and Principe, and another set of wins against the Djurtus, who are placed second, could see Nigeria seal the ticket to Côte d’Ivoire.
FULL LIST OF INVITED PLAYERS FOR THE AFCON2023Q:
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)
