AFCON qualifiers: Ejuke returns as Eguavoen unveils squad for Nigeria vs Libya

Super Eagles head coach Augustine Eguavoen has unveiled his 23-man squad ahead of the AFCON 2025 qualifiers against Libya.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Communications Department made this known on Saturday, October 5, 2024.

Among the 23 players called up is Sevilla summer signing Chidera Ejuke, who is making a return to the team after last featuring at the AFCON 2021 in Cameroon.

Among notable names invited are Captain William Ekong, Ademola Lookman, and Moses Simon for this month’s home-and-away double-header with the Mediterranean Knights of Libya.

Ola Aina, Bruno Onyemaechi goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Maduka Okoya, defenders Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika, Alex Iwobi, forwards Taiwo Awoniyi, Victor Boniface and Samuel Chukwueze made the list.

Reigning Africa Player of the Year Victor Osimhen is excluded due to injury, just as South Africa-based centre-back Olisa Ndah, but defender Bright Osayi-Samuel returns after missing the qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda last month.

Kelechi Iheanacho is also listed, as well as midfielders Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi and Frank Onyeka also made the cut.

The Super Eagles will host Libya at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday, 11th October, before flying to Benghazi to take on the Knights at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium, 19 kilometres away from Benghazi on Tuesday, 15th October.

All the players are expected to report in Uyo on Monday, 7th October.

The Eagles began their AFCON qualifiers with a 3-0 win against Benin Republic on matchday 1 before holding Rwanda to a 0-0 draw in Kigali on matchday 2.

Goalkeepers:

Stanley Nawabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Fasil Kenema SC, Ethiopia)

Defenders:

William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Benjamin Tanimu (Crawley Town, 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 (Augsburg FC, Germany); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)

Forwards:

Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla FC, Spain); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England)