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).
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