Surprises for Nigeria and Mali
Naples striker Victor Osimhen, announced forfeit at the end of November after having been operated on for multiple fractures to his face, is finally part of the list of 28 Nigerian players selected for the Africa Cup of Nations (January 9-February 6), unveiled Saturday. Operated on November 23, two days after a violent shock during an Italian Championship match, Osimhen, 22, was initially to be unavailable for three months.
The list of the 28 players selected for Nigeria:
Goalkeepers (4): Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs / RSA), Francis Uzoho (AC Amonia / CYP), John Noble (Enyimba), Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam / NED)
Defenders (9): William Ekong (Watford / ENG), Kenneth Omeruo (Leganes / ESP), Leon Balogun (Rangers / SCO), Abdullahi Shehu (AC Aomonia / CYP), Chidozie Awaziem (Alanyaspor / TUR), Jamilu Collins (Paderborn / GER), Ola Aina (Torino / ITA), Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto / POR), Olis Ndah (Orlando Pirates / RSA)
Midfielders (5): Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester / ENG), Kelechi Nwakali (Huesca / ESP), Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow / RUS), Frank Onyera (Brentford / ENG), Joe Aribo (Rangers / SCO)
Forwards (10): Ahmed Musa (Karagumruk / TUR), Moses Simon (Nantes / FRA), Odion Ighalo (Al Shabab Ryad / KSA), Taiwo Awoniyi (Union Berlin / GER), Alex Iwobi (Everton / ENG), Victor Osimhen (Naples / ITA), Sadiq Umar (Almeria / ESP), Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester / ENG), Samuel Chukwueze (Villareal / ESP), Emmanuel Dennos (Watford / ENG)
