Adesakin Adefemi
Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has announced a 55-man provisional squad for the 35th Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco. The squad features top players like Captain William Ekong, Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi, and Stanley Nwabali, who are expected to lead the team to victory.
The provisional squad includes goalkeepers Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy), Adebayo Adeleye (Volos FC, Greece), Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus), Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania), and Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos).
Defenders Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal), Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England), Semi Ajayi (Hull City, England), Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England), Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece), Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France), Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic), Felix Agu (Werder Bremen, Germany), Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn Rovers, England), and Adekunle Adeleke (Abia Warriors).
Midfielders Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England), Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium), Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA), Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey), Christantus Uche (Crystal Palace, England), Tochukwu Nnadi (Zulte Waregem, Belgium), Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy), Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa SC, Italy), Usman Muhammed (Ironi Tiberias, Israel), and Peter Agba (Maccabi Haifa, Israel) are expected to provide the creative spark for the team.
The squad also features forwards Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy), Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England), Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey), Simon Moses (Paris FC, France), Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain), Tolu Arokodare (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England), Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain), Olakunle Olusegun (Pari Nizhny Novgorod, Russia), Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain), Kelechi Iheanacho (Celtic Glasgow, Scotland), Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England), Victor Boniface (Werder Bremen, Germany), Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor AS, Turkey), Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France), Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Cyriel Dessers (Panathinaikos FC, Greece), Abdulrasheed Shehu (Niger Tornadoes), Rafiu Durosinmi (Viktoria Plzen, Czech Republic), Ekeson Okorie (Nasarawa United), Chisom Orji (Warri Wolves), Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi (OH Leuven, Belgium), Philip Otele (FC Basel, Switzerland), Salim Fago Lawal (NK Istra 1961, Croatia), and Emmanuel Michael (Linzer Athletik SK, Austria).
Other notable players in the squad include Nigeria Premier Football League stars Abdulrasheed Shehu, Ebenezer Harcourt, Ekeson Okorie, Chisom Orji, and Adekunle Adeleke. The squad has a mix of experienced players and young talents, giving Chelle a tough decision to make.
The Super Eagles are scheduled to arrive at a training camp in Egypt on Wednesday, December 10, where they will begin preparations for the tournament. The team is expected to play a couple of friendly matches before the tournament begins on Sunday, December 21.
Nigeria is in Group C of the tournament alongside Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda. The group stage promises to be tough, but Chelle is confident that his team will come out on top.
A final list of 28 players will be drawn from the provisional squad in a matter of days. The coaching staff will be making some tough decisions, but they are determined to pick the best team for the tournament.
