The three-time African champions will play two international friendly games over the next few days as they get their acts together for the 2023 AFCON
Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has led a squad of 22 players into the Super Eagles camp in Portugal ahead of the team’s double-header friendly games against Saudi Arabia and Mozambique, Soccernet.ng reports.
Nigeria will trade tackles with Asian giants Saudi Arabia on October 13 at the Estádio Municipal de Portimão, and three days later, the Super Eagles will lock horns with African rivals Mozambique at the Estádio Municipal de Albufeira.
Head coach Jose Peseiro invited 25 players for the two games. Still, injuries forced the withdrawal of the Nottingham Forest duo of Taiwo Awoniyi and Ola Aina and Cardiff City fullback Jamilu Collins.
Real Sociedad striker Umar Sadiq, Empoli right-back Tyronne Ebuehi, and Boavista defender Chidozie Awaziem were called up as replacements.
All three players were among the first to breeze into the Super Eagles camp in Portimão when it opened on Tuesday.
They joined Fulham stars Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey, OGC Nice forward Terem Moffi, and Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman, who have also landed in Portugal.
Napoli star Osimhen and AC Milan winger Samuel Chukwueze are also in camp alongside Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface, Nantes ace Moses Simon, Boavista fullback Bruno Onyemaechi, Fenerbahce right-back Bright Osayu-Samuel.
The arrival of Turkey-based Kenneth Omeruo, Championship stars Semi Ajayi, Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho and Joe Aribo, and goalkeeper Francis Uzoho have also been confirmed. The presence of Brentford midfielder Frank Onyeka has also been confirmed.
Despite initial injury fears, KAA Gent’s Jordan Torunarigha and Club Brugge’s Raphael Onyedika have also strolled into the Super Eagles camp.
However, newly invited Hatayaspor FC midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is yet to report to camp.
The presence of goalkeepers Olorunleke Ojo and Adeleye Adebayo also remains unconfirmed.
UPDATED LIST OF INVITED PLAYERS
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus); Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba FC); Adebayo Adeleye (Hapoel Jerusalem, Israel)
Defenders: Tyronne Ebuehi (Empoli, Italy); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); Jordan Torunarigha (KAA Gent, Belgium); Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa FC, Turkey); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista FC, Portugal); 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); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Hatayaspor FC, Turkey)
Forwards: Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy); Umar Sadiq (Real Sociedad, Spain); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany).
