Osimhen, Boniface, Sadiq spearheads Nigeria attack as Peseiro packs powerhouse for AFCON 2023
The head coach of the Nigerian Super Eagles, Jose Peseiro, released his 25-man squad for the upcoming African Cup of Nations 2023 (AFCON 2023) on 29 December 2023 to much criticism. While many fans feel the Portuguese has not been the best fit for the head coach role, he has not had much going in terms of a diverse squad.
Made In Africa Sport reports that the call-up list comprised only six midfielders, explaining Peseiro’s recent affinity for a counter-attacking tactic. But what the Super Eagles lack in the middle of the park they overcompensate for in the attacking department.
Star-studded forward line-up
The Nigerian team will see eight forwards travel to Cote d’Ivoire in January 2024 to begin their AFCON 2023 campaign. Napoli’s Victor Osihmen is fit this time and he gets a spot in the Nigerian national team, as well as the in-form Victor Boniface from Leverkusen.
Both strikers have made the headlines across Europe, pushing their teams to victory with goals and assists. Osihmen’s strained situation in Naples may see him switch sides with another European powerhouse in coming transfer windows, but the striker’s next challenge is the AFCON 2023, where he could be leading Nigeria to a fourth-time success.
Boniface has continued his prolific scoring at Bayer 04 Leverkusen, winning the Bundesliga Young Player of the Month awards in every month he has spent in Germany, and Nigerians will hope he can find similar success in the AFCON. Umar Sadiq has also settled at Sociedad, as he hit the ground running this season after his anterior cruciate ligament cut his playing time short last season.
Ademola Lookman has also found Italy much to his liking, as the forward has contributed seven goals and three assists to the Atalanta squad this season in what has been a statement start to the season. Super Eagles regulars Kelechi Iheanacho and Samuel Chukwueze are also part of Peseiro’s call-up list, and we will be seeing Ahmed Musa return to the squad, although whether he will get minutes at the AFCON games is still in contention.
The rest of the squad
The midfield list comprises old-time regulars Alex Iwobi and Wilfried Ndidi, and they will be joined by Joe Aribo, Frank Onyeka, and Raphael Onyedika. In defence, we will be seeing familiar faces as Kenneth Omeruo and William Troost-Ekong will be leading the Super Eagles’ defensive set-up.
The rest of the defence include Semi Ajayi, Ola Aina, Chidozie Awaziem, Calvin Bassey, Zaidu Sanusi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, and Bruno Onyemaechi, while Francis Uzoho, Stanley Nwabali, and Olorunleke Ojo will constitute the goalkeeping department.
Nigerians would love to see the AFCON trophy return to the country’s trophy cabinet, and Peseiro probably has the right idea with that attacking lineup. But the Super Eagles will have to be switched on this time; their recent run of form has been lacklustre and they will need to be brighter than their jerseys to record any continental success.
The 25 ready to give their all, ready to do it again! #SoarSuperEagles #LetsDoItAgain #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/e5eCGyJyCs
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) December 29, 2023
What’s next?
Nigeria kicks off their AFCON campaign against Equatorial Guinea on Sunday, 14 January 2024 by 3:00 p.m. after fellow group members Guinea-Bissau have slugged it out with hosts Cote d’Ivoire on Saturday.
