The Nigerian national team will open camp on November 9 in Benin City, with a total of 24 players expected to commence training in the Edo State capital in preparation for the double-clash against Sierra Leone in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, megasportsarena.com reports.
The camp, though, will not have new cap Cyriel Dessers of Racing Genk of Belgium, who has not been invited to add to the maiden appearance he had in this month’s international friendly against Tunisia, while his club mate, Paul Ebere Onuachu is only in the standby-list this time out.
Also missing from the latest Super Eagles’ list of invitees are goalkeepers Matthew Yakubu and Tobias Alimi, who were both invited for the friendlies against Algeria and Tunisia, as well as Leicester City of England midfielder, Wilfred Onyinyen Ndidi and Girondins-Bordeaux of France winger, Samuel Kalu, who are both yet to recover from injuries.
On the other hand, Eagles’ captain, Ahmed Musa makes the cut, although he is now clubless after shredding his contract with Al-Nassr of Saudi Arabia by mutual consent last weekend, and he will lead the squad that also has by Watford of England defender William Troost-Ekong.
Also called up are midfield enforcer, Oghenekaro Etebo, defenders Kenneth Omeruo, Leon Aderemi Balogun and Chidozie Awaziem, midfielder Alex Iwobi and forwards Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze and Chidera Ejuke.
Nigeria’s leading marksman in the series, Victor Osimhen returns after missing out of this month’s friendlies against Algeria and Tunisia, just as midfielder Joseph Ayodele-Aribo and South Africa –based goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi.
Switzerland –based goalkeeper Sebastian Osigwe will hope to earn his first cap for Nigeria, while defenders Kevin Akpoguma and Zaidu Sanusi, who impressed in the friendlies in Austria, have been handed opportunities to add to their caps; while seven players, including defender Abdullahi Shehu, goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, midfielders Ramon Azeez and Samson Tijani, are on standby.
All the invited players are expected to report at Protea Hotel Emotan in Benin City on Monday, 9th November, with training expected to commence fully the following day, ahead of the clash with Leone Stars at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in the same capital on Friday, 13th November.
They will then fly to Freetown for the return leg, which will hold on Tuesday, 17th November at Siaka Stevens Stadium; from which victory in both encounters will all but guarantee Nigeria a slot at the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations finals holding in Cameroon.
THE FULL LIST OF INVITEES – Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Oghenekaro Etebo (Galatasaray, Turkey); Frank Onyeka (FC Midtjylland, Denmark); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland).
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Unattached); Emmanuel Dennis Bonaventure (Club Brugge, Belgium); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow, Russia).
Defenders: Tyronne Ebuehi (FC Twente, Netherlands); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Chidozie Awaziem (FC Boavista, Portugal); William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Fulham FC, England); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Kevin Akpoguma (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Germany).
Goalkeepers: Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Sebastian Osigwe (FC Lugano, Switzerland); Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands); as well as Standby: Francis Uzoho (APOEL Nicosia, Cyprus); Samson Tijani (TSV Hartberg, Austria); Abdullahi Shehu (Omonia Nicosia, Cyprus); Ramon Azeez (Granada CF, Spain); Kelechi Nwakali (SD Huesca, Spain); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Heartland FC); Paul Onuachu (KRC Genk, Belgium).
