Sports

AFCON: Musa returns, only one home based player makes Peseiro 25-man squad

"The duo of Ahmed Musa and combative midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi, makes a return back to the team after missing the opening games in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification series"

Samuel AkpanDecember 29, 20232.3k

The Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro, has unveiled his 25-man squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Cote’d’Ivoire.

The Nigerian team is seeded in group A, with host nation, Cote’d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau.

They will be looking to make amends after getting knocked out in the Round of 16 in the last edition in Cameroon.

Enyimba international goalkeeper, Olorunleke Ojo, was the only home based player who made Peseiro’s 25- man list.

The duo of Ahmed Musa and combative midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi, makes a return back to the team after missing the opening games in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification series.

Nigeria that will be participating in the Africa Cup of Nations for the 20th time, were champions as hosts in 1980, victors in Tunisia1994 and winners in South Africa 2013.

The Super Eagles will kick start their quest for a fourth title against Equatorial Guinea on Sunday, January 14 their first match in Group A, before further clashes with host nation Cote d’Ivoire (18th January) and Guinea Bissau (22nd January).

FULL LIST

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabili (Chippa United, South Africa), Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus), Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba FC).

Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England), Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista FC, Portugal), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey), William Troost-Ekong (PAOK Salonika, Greece), Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal), Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa FC, Turkey), Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England), Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England), Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal).

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium), Joe Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England), Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England), Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England).

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Sivasspor K, Turkey), Victor Osimhen (Napoli SC, Italy), Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England), Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain), Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France), Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy), Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy), Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany).