Super Eagles squad for Sao Tome clash: Boniface and Orban in; Osimhen unshaken; Musa missing

The Super Eagles are set to play Sao Tome and Principe next week, and the NFF have released a strong squad for the fixture

Gent stars Gift Orban and Jordan Torunarigha, and Bayer Leverkusen star boy Victor Boniface are some of the new invitees for Nigeria’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sao Tome and Principe next week, Soccernet reports.

Three-time African champions Nigeria will look to end the AFCON qualifiers on a high when they welcome Sao Tome and Principe to Uyo next week. And ahead of the tie, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has invited 23 players to camp.

Nigeria have already qualified for the tournament in Ivory Coast with 12 points after five games. Still, if they slip up against Sao Tome, they could be toppled at the summit by Guinea Bissau, who take on Sierra Leone in their final fixture. Because of this, there is a possibility that coach Jose Peseiro, who just renewed his contract with the NFF, could experiment in the game.

Some new players have been invited for the game. Gent stars Gift Orban and Jordan Torunarigha got their first call-up after some impressive performances for their club. Also, Bayer Leverkusen striker Boniface, who has taken the Bundesliga by storm, scoring four goals in his first three games, has been invited.

Meanwhile, regulars Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, Ola Aina, William Troost-Ekong, and Wilfred Ndidi have kept their place. However, Ahmed Musa was excluded.

Full list of players invites for Sao Tome and Principe game

Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus); Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba FC); Adebayo Adeleye (Hapoel Jerusalem, Israel)

Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Tyronne Ebuehi (Empoli FC, Italy); Jordan Torunarigha (KAA Gent, Belgium); William Ekong (PAOK FC, Greece); Semi Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Jamilu Collins (Cardiff FC, Wales); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal)

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

Forwards: Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England); Gift Orban (KAA Gent, Belgium); Victor Boniface (Bayern Leverkusen, Germany).