2023 Afconq: Peseiro invites Awoniyi, Osimhen, four NPFL stars for Sierra Leone clash 

By Wale Mustapha

Head Coach of Nigeria’s senior national team, Jose Peseiro has announced his 23 man list for the 2023 African Cup of Nations, AFCON Qualifiers against Sierra Leone.

The Portuguese tactician who has being in Nigeria for a while has been monitoring performances of Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL at the ongoing Super Six playoffs taking place in Lagos State.

Apart from the foreign based professionals called for Matchday Five of the qualifiers, Peseiro has also invited two NPFL goalkeepers in Rivers United’s Victor Sochima and Ojo Olorunleke of Enyimba.

The duo of Ebube Duru of Rivers United and Super Six revelation, Divine Nwachukwu of Insurance FC also made the list.

The Super Eagles’ attack will be led by latest Serie A winner, Victor Osimhen from Napoli and is expected to be flanked by Taiwo Awoniyi whose goals ensured Nottingham Forest remain in the English top flight.

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.

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).