The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially released the provisional squad list of national teams slated to participate in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) scheduled for January 2024. Additionally, a 40-man provisional squad for the Super Eagles has been disclosed in preparation for the highly anticipated Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023. This announcement has stirred mixed reactions within the Nigerian football community on social media, sparking apprehension due to the inclusion of only three NPFL players, all of whom are goalkeepers, with no outfield players represented.
3 SLOTS FOR NPFL PLAYERS IN THE SUPER EAGLES PROVISIONAL SQUAD.
All three slots went to goalkeepers. That is a terrible decision making from whosoever compiled that list.
No single outfield player from the local league to grace a provisional squad?! Are you really serious??… pic.twitter.com/AblSEz5PvC
— MikeThePundit (@Mike_ThePundit) December 18, 2023
The squad comprises a mix of seasoned veterans and promising young talents and has already ignited discussions and debates across social media platforms questioning coach Jose Peseiro’s ability to lead the team to a fourth AFCON title.
The list includes key players who have been instrumental in the Super Eagles’ recent qualification for the AFCON, as well as some fresh faces.
THE FULL PROVISIONAL LIST
Goalkeepers
1. Francis Uzoho
2. Adebayo Adeleye
3. Ojo Olorunleke
4. Stanley Nwabali
5. Amas Obasogie
6. Christian Nwoke
Defenders
1. Ola Aina
2. Bright Osayi-Samuel
3. Tyronne Ebuehi
4. Jamilu Collins
5. Zaidu Sanusi
6. Bruno Onyemaechi
7. William Troost-Ekong
8. Semi Ajayi
9. Calvin Bassey
10. Kenneth Omeruo
11. Kevin Akpoguma
12. Chidozie Awaziem
13. Jordan Torunarigha
Midfielders
1. Wilfred Ndidi
2. Frank Onyeka
3. Joe Aribo
4. Alex Iwobi
5. Alhassan Yusuf
6. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru
7. Raphael Onyedika Nwadike
8. Kelechi Nwakali
Attackers
1. Victor Osimhen
2. Victor Boniface
3. Terem Moffi
4. Umar Sadiq
5. Ahmed Musa
6. Paul Onuachu
7. Cyriel Dessers
8. Ademola Lookman
9. Nathan Tella
10. Moses Simon
11. Emmanuel Dennis
12. Samuel Chukwueze
13. Kelechi Iheanacho
Fans are eagerly awaiting for the final 27-man list that should be released in the first week of January. The tournament, scheduled to take place in one month, has now become the center of heightened anticipation and speculation following this unexpected development.
Peseiro has until the 3rd of January 2024 – eleven days to Nigeria’s opening game against Equatorial Guinea – to release his final list of not more than twenty-seven (27) players for the tournament.