By Akinwale Kasali
The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has released a list of 24-players that would execute the double header against the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone for the qualification of the 2022 African Cup of Nations to be hosted by Cameroon in 2022.
Super Eagles are sitting atop its group after getting the maximum Six Points from two matches against the Squirrels of Benin Republic and the Crocodiles of Lesotho, winning 2-1 and 5-2 respectively.
Getting the maximum Six Points in the double header in Benin, Edo State Capital, and in Freetown, Sierra Leone capital, would see the Third Best Rated team in Africa securing a place in the AFCON 2022 with two games to spare.
In the list released by Coach Gernot Rohr, Napoli Football Club of Italy Striker, Victor Oshimen is back in action for Nigeria after missing out on this month’s friendlies against Algeria and Tunisia in Austria, including Kaizer Chiefs of South Africa safe hands, Daniel Akpeyi with Spanish based midfielder, Oghenekaro Etebo returning to the team.
Seven players including defender Abdullahi Shehu, goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, midfielders Ramon Azeez and Samson Tijani, and forward Paul Onuachu are on standby for the games.
In a statement from the Nigeria Football Federation’s spokesperson, Ademola Olajire, he said the Super Eagles take on the Leone Stars at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City on Friday, 13th November before flying to Freetown for the return game on Tuesday, 17th November at the Siaka Stevens Stadium, Freetown, Sierra Leone.
He also said that players are expected to report at the Protea Hotel Emotan in Benin City on Monday, November 9th.
The full list of invited players include; Goalkeepers: Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Sebastian Osigwe (FC Lugano, Switzerland); Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands)
Defenders: 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)
Midfielders: Oghenekaro Etebo (Galatasaray, Turkey); Tyronne Ebuehi (FC Twente, Netherlands); Frank Onyeka (FC Midtjylland, Denmark); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Unattached); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); 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)
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).
