Audio By Carbonatix
Nigeria’s strength in attack has been emphasised by their final squad selection for the weekend’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sierra Leone as coach Jose Peseiro settled on a 23-man selection.
Serie A’s top marksman, and newly crowned Italian champion, Victor Osimhen lead the list of attackers for Sunday’s Group A clash in Monrovia, backed up by LaLiga high flyer Samuel Chukwueze, veteran Ahmed Musa and the Premier League trio of Taiwo Awoniyi, Kelechi Iheanacho and Alex Iwobi.
But two of the country’s outstanding performers in Europe this season, the Belgian-based duo of Victor Boniface and Gift Orban did not receive a call-up, unable to forge a place for themselves in the final selection.
But Peseiro has picked four home-based players in the squad, including two in the goalkeeping department which is light on experience. First choice Francis Uzoho is out with injury.
Nigeria qualify on Sunday as long as they do not lose. They have a two-point lead over second placed Guinea Bissau in the standings with Sierra Leone four points behind them in third place. Sao Tome e Principe are last with a single point.
Squad
GOALKEEPERS: Adebayo Adeleye (Hapoel Jerusalem, Israel), Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba), Victor Sochima (Rivers United)
DEFENDERS: Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England), Kevin Akpoguma (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany), Calvin Bassey (Ajax Amsterdam, Netherlands), Chidiebube Duru (Rivers United), Kenneth Omeruo (Leganes, Spain), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce, Turkey), Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal), William Troost Ekong (Watford, England)
MIDFIELDERS: Joe Aribo (Southampton, England), Alex Iwobi (Everton, England), Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England), Divine Nwachukwu (Bendel Insurance), Frank Onyeka (Brentford, England)
FORWARDS: Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England), Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal, Spain), Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England), Ademola Lookman (Atalanta, Italy), Ahmed Musa (Sivasspor, Turkey), Victor Osimhen (Napoli, Italy), Moses Simon (Nantes, France).
Latest Stories
-
Stop castigating judiciary, challenge Wontumi’s conviction in court – Ayariga tells Minority
20 seconds -
Student-led group Humane Futures pushes for animal welfare legislation in Parliament
2 minutes -
‘What we are experiencing in this country is political persecution’ – Afenyo-Markin
2 minutes -
NPP to hold vigil, solidarity visit for jailed Chairman Wontumi as appeal process begins
6 minutes -
Ashfoam donates 600 mattresses to Otumfuo-funded female dormitory at Sefwi Wiawso SHS
11 minutes -
Guinean teenager with sickle cell dies in prison after exam cheating arrest, father demands justice
24 minutes -
Ghana is working again – Mahama Ayariga backs Ato Forson’s Mid-Year Budget Review
26 minutes -
NSMQ 2026 regional qualifiers rescheduled for July 25 to August 10
29 minutes -
Ex-governor convicted of murdering a pregnant student in Kenya
33 minutes -
Secret Service agent protecting JD Vance suspended over alleged security leak
36 minutes -
NPP Loyal Ladies pay courtesy call on Commonwealth Secretary-General
43 minutes -
The honeymoon is over – Amin Adam accuses gov’t of losing public goodwill over economic realities
47 minutes -
Bring Ofori-Atta back to account for Ghana’s debt – Majority Leader tells Minority
54 minutes -
Amin Adam describes 2026 Budget as ‘bones without meat’, accuses gov’t of failing Ghanaians
57 minutes -
Bella Agyeman’s film screens at New York festival
1 hour