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
-
Two dead after military helicopter crashes in Texas
58 minutes -
GAUA Strike: VCs engage university administrators as Education Minister meeting moves to Aug. 18
1 hour -
UCC postpones 2026 Sandwich students’ matriculation indefinitely
1 hour -
Luv FM High School Debate: St. Hubert and Adutwum SHS seal their round of sixteen spots
2 hours -
La Liga to inspect Celta Vigo’s pitch after fungus outbreak
3 hours -
Rotten waste chokes Accra CBD as Tudu refuse lingers
3 hours -
Ghana receives final work plan for AU Champion on Gender and Development
3 hours -
Torres misses Barcelona training to finalise PSG move
3 hours -
Xavi becomes first non-Dutch Netherlands coach since 1978
4 hours -
Office of the Registrar of Companies fined GH¢240k for engaging unlicensed cybersecurity provider
4 hours -
Ghana–TradeMark Africa partnership renewal to boost trade and exports — Trade Minister
4 hours -
Poor Internet connectivity keeps disrupting teaching and learning at UEW
5 hours -
Volta Regional House of Chiefs congratulates Ablakwa, pledges stronger ties with Foreign Affairs Ministry
5 hours -
Baba Yara stadium will be ready for 2026/27 football season – NSA boss
5 hours -
Speak law, not emotions – Amaliba fires back at Mercer on Sedina Tamakloe’s release
5 hours