Nigeria picks five uncapped players in AFCON squad
Nigeria named five uncapped players in a 28-man squad for the Africa Cup of Nations with several surprise selections from coach Eric Chelle after FIFA World Cup elimination last month.
Nigeria’s squad for this month’s tournament in Morocco is headlined by two former African footballer of the year winners – Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen – but also has uncapped right back Ryan Alebiosu, midfielders Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, Tochukwu Nnadi and Usman Muhammed and striker Salim Fago Lawal included.
Chelle has also recalled striker Paul Onuachu, whose 11 goals for Trabzonspor make him the top scorer in the Turkish league this season. The former Southampton centre forward last competed for Nigeria 18 months ago.
Nigeria is also gambling on the fitness of first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, who has both ankle and hand injuries and has not played since Nigeria was eliminated from last month’s FIFA World Cup play-offs.
His club coach in South Africa said at the weekend he did not think Nwabali would be fit to compete at the AFCON, which starts on 22 December (AEDR).
Nigeria must do without first choice centre-back Benjamin Fredericks and full back Ola Aina, who are both injured, while captain William Troost-Ekong announced his retirement from international football after last month’s FIFA World Cup play-offs.
A surprise omission is Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Tolu Arokodare.
The Super Eagles open their Group C campaign on 24 December (AEDT) against Tanzania in Fes, then face Tunisia four days later and Uganda on 31 December (AEDT).
Nigeria squad
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United), Amas Obasogie (Singida Black Stars), Francis Uzoho (Omonia Nicosia)
Defenders: Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn Rovers), Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes), Semi Ajayi (Hull City), Calvin Bassey (Fulham), Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague), Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City), Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto)
Midfielders: Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa), Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio), Alex Iwobi (Fulham), Usman Muhammed (Ironi Tiberias), Wilfred Ndidi (Beşiktaş), Tochukwu Nnadi (Zulte Waregem), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge), Frank Onyeka (Brentford)
Forwards: Akor Adams (Sevilla, Spain), Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham), Cyriel Dessers (Panathinaikos), Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla), Salim Fago Lawal (Istra 1961), Ademola Lookman (Atalanta), Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor), Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray), Moses Simon (Paris FC).
