The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced a list of 23 players invited by Super Eagles Head Coach José Peseiro for the team’s match against Guinea Bissau’s Djurtus on Thursday.
The players were for the team’s fixture in this month’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying fixtures, according to Ademola Olajire, NFF’s Director of Communications, in an Abuja statement.
Team captain Ahmed Musa, forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, he said, were among those called up.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Nigeria and Guinea Bissau will face off on March 24 at 5 p.m. at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
They then set a second date for March 27 at the Estadio 24 de Setembro in Bissau, beginning at 5 p.m.
“Spain-based defender Kenneth Omeruo returns, alongside midfielders Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka, while Portugal-based defender Bruno Onyemaechi gets an opportunity to vie for shirts against Semi Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Kevin Akpoguma and Calvin Bassey.
“Portugal-based left-back Zaidu Sanusi is also back, while regulars such as Alex Iwobi, Joe Aribo, Kelechi Iheanacho, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Terem Moffi and Paul Onuachu are also called up.
“Captain of the Nigeria under-20 side which finished in third-place at the recently-concluded Africa Under-20 Cup of Nations in Egypt, Daniel Bameyi, is called up alongside team goalkeeper Chijioke Aniagboso,” he said.
The NFF official added that goalkeeper Victor Sochima of Rivers United Football Club of Port Harcourt will contend for the number one shirt with Francis Uzoho.
Olajire disclosed that the players were expected to start arriving at the team’s camp in Abuja on Sunday.
NAN reports that group leaders Nigeria are on maximum six points from their defeats of Sierra Leone and Sao Tome and Principe.
The Djurtus are in second place on four points from their defeat of Sao Tome and Principe and the draw with the Leone Stars.
Meanwhile, Egyptian referee Mahmoud Elbana will handle the match, with compatriots Youssef Elbosaty, Sami Halhal and Ahmed El-Ghandour to function as assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and fourth official respectively.
Harrison Addo from Ghana will be the match commissioner, while his compatriot Kotey Alexander will be the referee assessor.
The match organisers, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), have also appointed Moroccan referees for the return leg in Bissau.
Samir Guezzaz will be in charge, with compatriots Zakaria Brinsi, Hamza Naciri and Noureddine El Jaafari in the roles of assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and fourth official respectively.
Massa Diarra from Mauritania will be the match commissioner, and Waldabet Koissoual from Chad will function as the referee assessor.
ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS:
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Victor Sochima (Rivers United); Kingsley Aniagboso (Giant Brillars)
Defenders: Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Kevin Akpoguma (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany);
Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Calvin Bassey (FC Ajax, The Netherlands); Daniel Bameyi (YumYum FC); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal)
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Joe Aribo (Southampton, England)
Forwards: Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Ahmed Musa (Sivasspor K, Turkey); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal CF, Spain); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France)
Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Paul Onuachu (Southampton FC, England)
(NAN)
