The former African champions want to end a ten-year wait for the biggest football prize on the continent
The Super Eagles camp in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, is officially open following the arrival of several players and the coaching crew, Soccernet.ng reports.
Seventeen Super Eagles players have been welcomed to the training camp by head coach Jose Peseiro and his crew as preparations for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations begin.
Team captain Ahmed Musa is among the first to report to camp, and the former Leicester City man has been joined by fellow 2013 AFCON winner Kenneth Omeruo, Nantes winger Moses Simon, and Enyimba FC goalkeeper Olorunleke Ojo.
Fulham's duo of Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey, as well as West Brom's Semi Ajayi, Southampton midfielder Joe Aribo, Brentford's Frank Onyeka, and Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina have landed from England.
Portugal-based defenders Chidozie Awaziem, Bruno Onyemaechi of Boavista, and Porto's Zaidu Sanusi are also in the camp, as well as Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman, Bayer Leverkusen's Victor Boniface, Club Brugge's Raphael and Fenerbahce's Bright Osayi-Samuel.
🔈❗️Afcon camp update: Players in camp #soarsupereagles #letsdoitagain pic.twitter.com/cJf6gWmPwr
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) January 3, 2024
Still expected in camp are Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, AC Milan winger Samuel Chukwueze, Leicester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho, and goalkeepers Stanley Nwabili and Francis Uzoho.
William Troost-Ekong and Umar Sadiq will join the team in the coming hours.
The Super Eagles will have their first training this evening (Tuesday, January 3) as they intensify preparations towards winning a first AFCON trophy in ten years.
Wilfred Ndidi has dropped out of the team after suffering an injury. Royal Antwerp's Alhassan Yusuf has been called up as the replacement for the defensive midfielder.
Players in camp
1. Ahmed Musa
2. Kenneth Omeruo
3. Moses Simon
4. Olorunleke Ojo
5. Alex Iwobi
6. Semi Ajayi
7. Ola Aina
8. Calvin Bassey
9. Ademola Lookman
10. Joe Aribo
11. Frank Onyeka
12. Bruno Onyemaechi
13. Chidozie Awaziem
14. Zaidu Sanusi
15. Victor Boniface
16. Raphael Onyedika
17. Bright Osayi-Samuel
I’m beginning to believe that Ahmed Musa’s continual invitation is political. How can the likes of Moffi and co be snubbed yet Musa is always called?
Mike maybe you have forgotten when Steven keshi a non playing captain in Tunisia 1994.
Musa have been a non playing Captain for how many years now?
Keahi was a non playing Captain for all of 6 months..
When was the last time Musa was a full fledged player in the SE?
Musa is good player as well as talented.
I’m not surprised it’s coming from you. Where does he play if I may ask you?
it thru he shouldn’t be there
I mean base on current form he’s not better than d likes of moffi and gift orban
Please leave this issue for the Coach and NFF, they know why he is there, moreover we need a player leader like him to carry the young Lads along, in fact the Team need his experience and leadership, Good Luck our super Heroes, we are expecting the cup home
Carry which young lads along?
Many of the players in the SE are on atleast half a Century of Caps and are veterans of many Tournaments..
Musa has no business in that if not for politics and quota system..
Please don’t insult our intelligence..
musa is always a star and a amazing talented player. he has shown it several times, and we are expecting more this time around because he can
I still believe in him the hamed musa he has done a great job before ,we need u in the team . up super eagle best lucky
The Super Eagles is not a retirement home for out of sorts footballers..
Musa has paid his dues and should gracefully retire,he has nothing to give on the pitch that younger players cannot give..
And the team has enough experience,before you start waxing lyrical about it..
I think the problem most Nigerian has is to look for favoritism if not Ahmed Musa can not do well . Nigerian won’t you advise the coach, if we want good result?