Ndah, Osimhen, Awoniyi in; Musa, Awaziem out: Labbadia okays 23-man squad for Benin and Rwanda clash

New head coach Bruno Labbadia has confirmed a 23-man squad for the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against the Republic of Benin and Rwanda, Soccernet.ng reports.

Nigeria will first face the Cheetahs of Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Saturday, 7th September, before travelling to Kigali to take on the Amavubi at the Amahoro Stadium on Tuesday, 10th September.

For these fixtures, Labbadia has selected three goalkeepers, seven defenders, six midfielders, and seven forwards. Notable inclusions are Orlando Pirates defender Olisah Ndah, former Bendel Insurance goalkeeper Amas Obasogie, and Taiwo Awoniyi.

William Troost-Ekong, Victor Osimhen, and Ola Aina, who missed out under Finidi George due to injuries sustained during the AFCON tournament, have been recalled to the squad.

AFCON 2023 hero Stanley Nwabali, alongside Udinese FC’s Maduka Okoye and Obasogie, will compete for the number one goalkeeper spot.

The players are expected to assemble in Uyo on Monday, 2nd September, in preparation for these crucial matches.

Here is the full squad list

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Bendel Insurance FC)

Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Olisa Ndah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England)

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio FC. Italy); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)

Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla FC, Spain); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England)