Osimhen has been named as the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) released a list of twenty-two players ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match.
Super Eagles Captain William Troost-Ekong, wing-back Olaoluwa Aina, and strikers Victor Osimhen and Taiwo Awoniyi have returned to the team.
They have also invited three goalkeepers, including the outstanding Afcon 2023 goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, along with seven defenders, six midfielders, and seven forwards.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will play the Cheetahs of Benin Republic on Saturday, September 7, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, southern Nigeria.
They will then travel to Kigali to play the Amavubi of Rwanda at the Amahoro Stadium on Tuesday, September 10, 2024.
Osimhen and Ekong return
Victor Osimhen, William Troost-Ekong, Ola Aina, Wilfred Ndidi, and 18 others have been invited to camp, which will open on Monday, September 2, 2024, in Uyo.
Full list of players invited by the NFF:
Goalkeepers:
– Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa)
– Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy)
– Amas Obasogie (Bendel Insurance FC)
Defenders:
– William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia)
– Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey)
– Olisa Ndah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa)
– Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal)
– Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England)
– Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England)
– Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England)
Midfielders:
– Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England)
– Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium)
– Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA)
– Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio FC, Italy)
– Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England)
– Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)
Forwards:
– Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy)
– Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy)
– Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla FC, Spain)
– Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)
– Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France)
– Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy)
– Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England)
Earlier on Tuesday, the Nigeria Football Federation announced the appointment of Bruno Labbadia as the new Super Eagles head coach.
These matches will be his first assignment as Nigeria hopes to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which will take place in Morocco.
The Nigeria Football Federation took time to find a coach to lead the country to football success after the contract of 2023 Afcon silver medal-winning coach José Peseiro ended.
They tried their hand with assistant coach Finidi George, who resigned as Super Eagles coach after receiving criticism for poor results.
The 1994 Afcon Super Eagles star was under fire due to the results from the 2026 World Cup qualifying match against arch-rivals South Africa and Benin Republic.
Nigeria lost to Benin Republic 2-1 in their last World Cup qualifier.
Earlier, they played a 1-1 draw with South Africa in Uyo.
Nigeria is currently in 5th position out of 6 in Group C, with only 3 points out of 4 matches. This comes after recording 3 draws and 1 loss.
In the Afcon qualifiers, Nigeria is in Group D with Benin Republic, Libya, and Rwanda.
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