AFCON 2023: Kelechi Iheanacho and Paul Onuachu join Nigeria camp

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Nigeria striking duo of Kelechi Iheanacho and Paul Onuachu have joined their teammates in Abidjan ahead of the team’s opening match at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Sunday.

The two players arrived at the team camp at 4:00 am on Sunday and they are the last set of players joining the team camp as they prepare to face Equatorial Guinea in their Group A opener.

Iheanacho stayed back at his English club, Leicester City after a knock to recuperate well ahead of the AFCON.

His Leicester City teammate, Wilfred Ndidi was ruled out of the tournament.

Onuachu on his side didn’t make the final squad but received a late call-up. He was invited to replace Sadiq Umar who got injured as the team prepared for their second training session in Abidjan.

Nigeria will face Equatorial Guinea in a bid to pick a win which will ensure a tie with Cote D’Ivoire at the top of the table.

The hosts beat Guinea Bissau 2-0 in the opening match of the tournament on Saturday.

Oluwaseun Oyediji

Oluwaseun Babatunde Oyediji is a multi-media sports journalist with over 10 years experience in Information Communication Technology (ICT), women's football, and beach soccer reportage.The prolific writer is the Media Assistant to Nigeria Beach Soccer League and Africa Beach Soccer Union as well as contributor on Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) website.He has covered multiple national and international football tournaments including Championship of African Nations (CHAN 2020), CAF Women's Champions League (2023), and Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2023).Since 2021, Oyediji has covered the NWFL Premiership especially the season ending Super Six Playoffs.A member of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Ogun state chapter is also the image maker of the Remo Sports Development Council under the leadership of Chief Falilat Ogunkoya and David Osuolale.

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