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AFCON Qualifiers: Super Eagles Await Arrival of Turkey-Based Defender

By Ikio Biobelemoye

Jun 14, 2023

Red-hot Napoli forward, Victor Osimhen, took to Twitter on Tuesday to announce his arrival in Nigeria for the African Cup of Nations Qualifiers clash against Sierra Leone.

The forward’s arrival takes the tally up to 22, leaving Turkey-based defender, Bright Osayi-Samuel as the only player yet to arrive camp.

The Fenerbahçe man recently won the Turkish Cup with his side after they defeated Istanbul Basaksehir 2-0 in the final on Sunday, it was their first in ten years.

His presence at the back in the last 15 minutes of the game saw a comeback unattainable for Istanbul.

The French outfit, Troyes and Scottish Giants, Glasgow Rangers are in hot pursuit of the Super Eagles defender, alongside some English clubs.

He is expected to join the 22 players in camp in the coming days.

Ivory Coast will host the 2023 AFCON in 2024 and Nigeria would be in search of a fourth AFCON trophy, since winning it in 2013.

The Super Eagles sit top of the table in Group A, with nine points from four games, getting maximum points in three and losing once. They only need to avoid defeat against the Leone Stars at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Monrovia on Sunday to obtain a qualification ticket with a game to spare.

The Super Eagles have already begun training at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos.

The Leone Stars, on the other hand, have just one win in the qualifiers and would be looking to get maximum points, as a loss will see them out of the race to qualify for the 2023 AFCON.

The 23 players called up by the Super Eagles Coach, José  Peseiro are;

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).

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