Peseiro has also invited captain Ahmed Musa, goalkeeper
Adebayo Adeleye, defender William Ekong, midfielder Alex Iwobi and forward
Moses Simon among others for next weekend’s 2023 AFCON qualifying match against
the Leone Stars in Monrovia.
In-form forward Victor James Osimhen, whose 31 goals in all
competitions for SSC Napoli this season helped the Italian giants to the semi
finals of the UEFA Champions League and to their first Italian Serie A title in
33 years, tops the strikers’ list.
Osimhen has also recently been honoured with the National
Award of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) by the Government of
Nigeria, and has received a special ball and jersey from world football-ruling
body, FIFA for his magnificent season.
Home-based goaltenders Victor Sochima and Olorunleke Ojo are
also called, as well as Rivers United defender Ebube Duru and Bendel Insurance
FC midfielder Divine Nwachukwu.
Defenders William Ekong, Kenneth Omeruo, Zaidu Sanusi,
Calvin Bassey, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi and Bright Osayi-Samuel are in, with
midfielders Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka, and forwards Samuel Chukwueze,
Taiwo Awoniyi and Kelechi Iheanacho also in the 23-man roster.
The Super Eagles are top of their qualification group with
nine points out of four matches, followed by Guinea Bissau’s Wild Dogs who have
seven points. Leone Stars, who gave the Eagles a tough run in Abuja on Day 1 of
the qualification series before succumbing 2-1, are on five points. Sao Tome
and Principe, who play the Super Eagles on the final day of the series in
September, are bottom with only one point.
Nigeria and Sierra Leone clash at the Samuel Kanyon Doe
Stadium in Monrovia on Sunday, 18 June, as Sierra Leone do not have any stadium
in their country approved for international matches.
ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS:
Goalkeepers: Adebayo Adeleye (Hapoel Jerusalem, Israel);
Victor Sochima (Rivers United); Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba FC)
Defenders: William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Calvin
Bassey (Ajax FC, The Netherlands); Kevin Akpoguma (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany);
Chidiebube Duru (Rivers United); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion,
England); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto,
Portugal); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey)
Midfielders: Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England);
Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Divine Nwachukwu (Bendel Insurance); Wilfred
Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England)
Forwards: Moses Simon (Nantes FC, France); Samuel Chukwueze
(Villarreal FC, Spain); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Victor Osimhen
(SSC Napoli, Italy); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England); Kelechi
Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Ahmed Musa (Sivasspor K, Turkey).