Tremendous Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro, introduced his remaining 25-man squad for the forthcoming African Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast on Friday. PUNCH Sports activities Further analyses every participant within the squad eyeing a fourth AFCON trophy
Stanley Nwabili (Chippa United)
Nwabili is likely one of the two goalkeepers within the Eagles squad making their debut on the event.
The Chippa United goalie already been capped by the home-based Eagles, has being in nice type conserving seven clear sheets in 14 video games conceding 12 objectives in South Africa’s topflight division.
Francis Uzoho
Beneath-fire goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, would be the underneath highlight when the AFCON event kicks-off in two weeks. The 24-year-old’s type for the Eagles has been the speaking level following the current outcomes of the workforce towards Saudi Arabia, Mozambique, Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
The Omonia Nicosia stopper has been inactive this season taking part in 4 instances for his membership and conceding six instances.
Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba)
Enyimba’s first alternative will battle Stanley Nwabili for the second alternative place. Ojo is the one participant from the Nigerian Skilled Soccer League within the squad and he has blown cold and hot for the Elephant this time period regardless of their current spectacular outcomes.
Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto)
Sanusi is likely one of the shock inclusion within the Eagles squad for the event having just lately recovered from a muscle harm. He has one aim to his title in 9 appearances in 647 minutes of motion.
Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest)
Match-again Ola Aina can be making his third AFCON look in Ivory Coast having featured on the final two editions in Egypt and Cameroon. The proper-back has made 13 appearances scoring a aim and making an help for Nottingham Forest serving to the Tough Timber maintain three clear sheets within the Premier League. William Troost-Ekong (PAOK)
Troost-Ekong has grow to be one of many stalwarts within the Eagles squad since he dumped Holland, the nation of his delivery and who he represented at youth ranges, for Nigeria.
Regardless of being neglected from the squad for over a 12 months, the PAOK defender is likely one of the most constant Nigerian centre backs in Europe this season. To date this time period, he performed 21 instances offering one help. Ekong has continued to show himself because the undisputed best choice on the coronary heart of defence but it surely stays to be seen if he can be a starter in Ivory Coast.
Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista)
One other AFCON debutant within the Eagles squad, Onyemaechi who has made 12 appearances for Boavista within the Portuguese league this season has one help. He’s anticipated to be the primary alternative on the event barring in thoughts Sanusi’s health stage.
Vibrant Osayi-Samuel
Undoubtedly the Eagles undisputed right-back heading into the thirty fourth version of the AFCON, Osayi-Samuel is one in all Nigeria’s gamers who’ve been in wonderful type for the reason that begin of tue 2023/24 season.
The 25-year-old has appeared 24 instances for Fenerbahce throughout all competitions this season, scoring two objectives and registering 4 assists.
The Nigerian is one in all Europe’s defender with highest variety of assists this time period.
His service on tue proper flank will certainly assist the workforce draw out opponents when the AFCON kicks off.
Kenneth Omeruo
Nigeria’s most expertise defenders for the time being, the 30-year-old is about for his fourth Africa Cup of Nations outings in Ivory Coast.
Omeruo was a part of the Eagles squad that conquered the continent in 2013 and he’ll hope to make use of his wealth of expertise information the workforce to a different victory subsequent 12 months.
The previous Leganes man has been in good type for his Turkish membership, Kasimpasa, scoring one aim and registering two assists in 16 league matches.
Calvin Bassey
It’s been a blended success for Bassey thus far this season however his efficiency was sufficient to persuade Peseiro handy the defender a spot on the workforce.
It’ll be Bassey’s first AFCON look and he’ll hope to offer account of himself.
The 23-year-old has been closely criticised for his underwhelming efficiency for the Eagles however now he has an opportunity to show his doubters improper in Abidjan.
Bassey has been an everyday for Fulham this marketing campaign and has made 17 appearances for the Cottagers.
Semi Ajayi
Typically deployed as a centre again, Ajayi has all the time carried out decently when taking part in for Nigeria.
Not the kind of participant that makes the headline each week, the 30-year-old is a really dependable participant any day and Peseiro will hope he will help the workforce from conceding low-cost objectives.
Wilfred Ndidi
Arguably one of many Eagles most in-form gamers heading to the Nations Cup in Ivory Coast. Ndidi’s place within the workforce was by no means unsure because the midfielder has been in nice type for Leicester Metropolis within the Championship as they battle to return again to the English Premier League.
The 27-year-old has performed in an advance function this season and has proven his versatility underneath his new boss scoring 4 objectives and aiding six in 23 video games.
Peseiro will hope that Ndidi can replicate his Leicester type for the Eagles as they hope to win the AFCON title for the fourth time.
Alex Iwobi
Simply as his midfield comrade, Iwobi was one of many gamers whose spot within the workforce was by no means underneath any risk. The Everton man has settled in very properly since his transfer to Fulham in the summertime regardless of being performed in several roles.
In 17 Premier League video games, the 27-year-old has scored three objectives whereas registering one help. If the Eagles are to face any probability of going far on the AFCON they are going to want Iwobi to be at his greatest.
Joe Aribo
Aribo can be relieved to have made the ultimate 25-man listing owing to his poor type and lack of sport time with Southampton.
Earlier than Peseiro introduced his remaining squad, couple of minutes earlier than the kickoff between Southampton and Plymouth, Aribo performed 18 out of the 25 matches performed within the Championship, scoring only a aim.
The 27-year-old was sparingly utilized by his membership facet beginning simply seven out of the 25 video games. Recently, the midfielder appears to have rediscovered his potential and has began all 5 of the Saints final video games.
It stays to be seen if the previous Rangers man will be capable to proceed his wealthy vein of type in Ivory Coast.
Frank Onyeka (Brentford, England)
Onyeka has been a key participant for Brentford within the Premier League this season and Peseiro will hope he may be as pivotal for the Eagles squad. Onyeka can be attending his second AFCON competitors with the Tremendous Eagles.
His skill to manage the sport and contribute defensively makes him a vital addition to the Nigerian midfield. Since his debut in 2020, he has made 14 appearances for the Eagles scoring one aim
Raphael Onyedika (Membership Brugge, Belgium)
Onyedika is one other potential AFCON debutant because the 22-year-old versatile midfielder brings his talent and creativity to the Eagles squad and made his nationwide workforce debut in 2022.
Onyedika has scored one aim and offered one help at Membership Brugge this season whereas he has made three appearances and offered one help for the Tremendous Eagles.
Victor Osimhen (Napoli, Italy)
Set for his second AFCON look, the reigning African Participant of the 12 months has confirmed to be a key participant for Napoli and the Tremendous Eagles. Since his senior workforce debut in 2017, he has made 27 appearances and has scored 20 objectives.
With seven objectives in 13 Serie A video games this season, Osimhen is in nice type and can be eager to proceed the run in Ivory Coast subsequent 12 months.
Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)
Boniface is about for his debut look on the AFCON after making a superb begin to life in Germany for Bayer Leverkusen. With 16 objectives and 7 assists in all competitions this season, the 23-year-old has been an asset to his membership. His performances on the sphere have demonstrated his potential as a top-class ahead, and he’s anticipated to carry that very same stage of excellence to the Eagles squad.
Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France)
Having missed out on mutiple main tournaments via accidents, Simon can be happy to be within the Eagles squad for the AFCON. With a file of 60 appearances and 9 objectives for the Eagles, Simon’s presence provides depth and expertise to the ahead line.
His contribution of three objectives and three assists this season at FC Nantes within the Ligue 1 see him poised to make an influence for the Nigerian nationwide workforce at AFCON.
Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy)
Atalanta ahead, Lookman, is a kind of set to make their AFCON debut at this event. Lookman’s skillful and artistic type of play has been a spotlight for Atalanta FC, the place he has scored six objectives and offered three assists in 13 Serie A appearances this season.
His inclusion within the Eagles squad provides versatility and attacking aptitude to the workforce’s ahead line and he can be eager so as to add to his two objectives for Nigeria and 10 appearances.
Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy)
Chukwueze brings his electrifying expertise to the Eagles squad as he gears up for his second AFCON competitors. At AC Milan, he has scored two objectives and offered one help in 17 appearances.
His skill to tackle defenders and create scoring alternatives makes him a priceless asset to the Eagles. He has scored 5 objectives in 30 appearances for the Tremendous Eagles.
Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester Metropolis, England)
Iheanacho has been in nice type for the Foxes with six objectives and two assists offered in all competitions this season. His goal-scoring prowess and attacking instincts make him a priceless addition to the Tremendous Eagles.
Iheanacho has scored 15 objectives in 50 appearances for the Nigeria nationwide workforce and can be eager so as to add to that tally in his second AFCON competitors.
Umar Sadiq (Actual Sociedad, Spain)
Originally of the season, it appeared like Sadiq wouldn’t make the Tremendous Eagles squad for the AFCON however accidents to Terem Moffi and Awoniyi and his current nice type in LaLiga for Actual Sociedad have received him a spot within the Nigeria workforce.
This can be Sadiq’s second AFCON event. The 26-year-old has made 10 appearances for the Tremendous Eagles and has scored one aim.
Ahmed Musa (Sivasspor, Turkey)
Tremendous Eagles captain, Musa, is about to carry his wealth of expertise to the Eagles squad at AFCON. At 31 years previous, Musa’s management and goal-scoring skill have been influential all through his profession, and his presence gives depth to the Nigerian ahead line.
Musa is probably the most capped Eagle ever and was a part of the workforce that final lifted the AFCON trophy in 2013. He has scored a complete of 16 objectives in 108 appearances for the Tremendous Eagles.
