19 players hit Abu Dhabi camp as Super Eagles 2023 AFCON training begins

Nineteen players have arrived the Super Eagles Abu Dhabi camp as the three-time African champions begin preparations for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) set to take place in Cote d’Ivoire.

This was made on the official X handle of the Super Eagles yesterday with Nigeria’s quest to win the AFCON after a 10-year hiatus with coach Jose Peseiro leading the first training session yesterday.

The players in camp as at press time are captain Ahmed Musa who will lead the team with his wealth of experience, having been capped over 100 times for the Super Eagles, Alex Iwobi, and Victor Boniface.

Others are Kenneth Omeruo, Moses Simon, Leke Ojo, Ola Aina, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Ademola Lookman, Joe Aribo, and Frank Onyeka.

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Bruno Onyemaechi, Zaidu Sanusi, Chidozie Awaziem, Bright Osayi Samuel, and Raphael Onyedika, Samuel Chukwueze and Stanley Nwabali have also reported to camp.

Meanwhile, African Footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen, leads the list of players still expected to hit the camp while Wilfred Ndidi has been ruled out,

Others expected are Francis Uzoho, William Troost-Ekong, Sadiq Umar and Kelechi Iheanacho who still a major doubt for the AFCON 2023.

It will be recalled Ndidi was ruled campaign because of injury with Royal Antwerp midfielder Alhassan Yusuf being called up to replace him. 

The Super Eagles, in their quest for a fourth continental title, will take on Equatorial Guinea on Sunday, 14th January in their first match of Group A, before further clashes with host nation Cote d’Ivoire (18th January) and Guinea Bissau (22nd January).

Nigeria, who will be participating in the Africa Cup of Nations for the 20th time, were champions as hosts in 1980, triumphant in Tunisia in 1994 and crowned winners in South Africa in 2013.Nigeria will face Equatorial Guinea in their opening fixtures on Sunday, January 14.