AFCON 2023: Chukwueze to resume camp late as AC Milan reach agreement with the NFF

Nigeria’s AFCON camp opens on January 1, but Chukwueze will resume days later

Super Eagles forward Samuel Chukwueze will arrive in Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations preparatory camp on January 3 because AC Milan agreed with the NFF to allow him to play their game against Cagliari on January 2.

Chukwueze has not impressed since his move to AC Milan, but he made Nigeria’s 25-man squad for the 2023 AFCON in January.

Ahead of the competition, all selected players were expected to resume camp on January 1- two weeks before the competition, according to FIFA rules.

The African showpiece has been criticised over the years because of the timing, as most players involved ply their trades in Europe. Nonetheless, most of them eventually accept it because of their inability to change the status quo.

AC Milan is one of the clubs that is affected, albeit slightly. They will lose two players, Ismael Bennacer and Chukwueze.

Earlier, Soccernet.ng reported that AC Milan were in talks with the Algerian and Nigerian football federations to let Bennacer and Chukwueze resume camp on January 3 because of their game against Cagliari.

In a recent development, according to AC Milan Insider, Algeria rejected the Rossoneri’s request, but Nigeria accepted it. This means that Chukwueze will play for the Italian giants on January 2 before leaving immediately for Nigeria’s camp.

Nigeria begin their Nations Cup journey on January 14 with a game against Equatorial Guinea.