Super Eagles interim coach Augustin Eguavoen has announced his 23-man squad ahead of Nigeria's crucial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Mediterranean Knights of Libya.
The list released by the Nigeria Football Federation on Saturday includes some familiar faces, but key absentees include Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen and Orlando Pirates defender Olisa Nda. Both players are absent due to injury.
Osimhen, who has been in sensational form, suffered a muscular injury during Galatasaray’s Super Lig match against Kasumpasa on September 28th.
The Turkish club confirmed that the 25-year-old striker has suffered a strain in his left upper posterior muscle, which will keep him out for several weeks.
Similarly, Orlando Pirates centerpiece Nda will also be sidelined due to injury concerns.
Despite the glaring omissions, Eguavoen’s squad includes veteran campaigners such as captain William Troost-Ekong, Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi and Fulham’s Alex Iwobi.
The team will also welcome Chidera Ejukwu, who will return to the Super Eagles for the first time since 2022 after a series of impressive performances in Sevilla.
The Super Eagles will first take on the Mediterranean Knights at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday, October 11, before heading to Benghazi for a rematch at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium on Tuesday, October 15.
Both matches are important as Nigeria looks to secure a spot in the 2025 AFCON tournament.
Eguavoen have also brought in in-form players such as Ademola Lookman, who is currently plying his trade at Atalanta, and FC Nantes mainstay Moses Simon.
Fenerbahce’s Bright Ossai-Samuel will return after missing the final qualifying sets against Benin Republic and Rwanda.
With Osimhen out, much of the attacking burden will fall on Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest) and Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface. Both players are continuing to do well at their respective clubs.
Kelechi Iheanacho is also named in the squad, along with other midfield options such as Lazio’s Fisayo Dele-Bashir and Augsburg’s Frank Onyeka.
All players are expected to arrive in Uyo by Monday, October 7th and begin preparations for the important match.
Complete squad list:
Goalkeeper:
Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa)
Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy)
Amas Obasogie (Ethiopia, Fasil Kenema SC)
Defender:
William Ekon (Al Khorod FC, Saudi Arabia)
Bright Osai-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Türkiye)
Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal)
Oluwasemiro Ajayi (England, West Bromwich Albion)
Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England)
Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England)
Benjamin Tanim (Crawley Town, UK)
Midfielder:
Wilfred Ndidi (England, Leicester City)
Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium)
Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA)
Fisayo Dele-Basil (Lazio FC, Italy)
Frank Onyeka (Augsburg FC, Germany)
Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)
forward:
Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy)
Cidera Ejuque (Sevilla FC, Spain)
Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy)
Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla FC, Spain)
Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)
Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France)
Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, UK)
The Super Eagles aim to remain unbeaten in the qualifiers, but all eyes will be on how Eguavoen manages the team in the absence of key players like Osimhen and Nda.
Despite this, the team remains strong and is expected to put in solid performances in both matchups.
NFF
