Players and officials of the Super Eagles are expected to report in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, today to commence training ahead of the Morocco 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying doubleheader against the Mediterranean Knights of Libya. At the weekend, Interim Coach, Augustine Eguavoen, listed Captain William Ekong, rave-of-the-moment, Ademola Lookman, in-form winger Moses Simon, and 20 other players for the battle against the Libyans.
Also invited are wing-backs Olaoluwa Aina, Bruno Onyemaechi, goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Maduka Okoya, defenders Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, and Calvin Bassey, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika and Alex Iwobi, and forwards Taiwo Awoniyi, Victor Boniface and Samuel Chukwueze. Defender Bright Osayi-Samuel makes his way back after missing the Benin Republic and Rwanda clashes last month, just as in-form playmaker, Chidera Ejuke is returning to the fold after many moons. Nkhakananga will be assisted by his compatriots, Clemence Kanduku and Joseph Nyauti, while Botswanan Keabetswe Dintwa will serve as the fourth official for the Match Day Three clash starting at 5.0 0 p.m. Munkaila Nassam Adam from Ghana will be the commissioner, while Issaka Boubacar from Niger and Mayowa Akingbemisilu will be in the roles of referee assessor and broadcast venue manager respectively.
Meanwhile, reports claim that sports fans in Libya are celebrating the absence of reigning Africa Player of the Year, Victor Osimhen, who was excluded by Eguavoen on grounds of an injury.
As reported by The Guardian, last week, Osimhen, who picked up an injury while playing for his new club, Galatasaray, is undergoing rehabilitation in Turkey, just as South Africa-based centre-back, Olisa Ndah, is also left out of the Super Eagles squad against Libya due to injury.
Libya fans celebrate Osimhen’s absence
The Super Eagles will host Libya at the Akwa Ibom Stadium, in Uyo, on Friday, before flying to Benghazi to take on the Knights at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium, 19 kilometres away from Benghazi on Tuesday, October 15.
Veteran forward Kelechi Iheanacho is also listed, as well as midfielders Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, and Frank Onyeka. CAF at the weekend named Malawian referee, Godfrey Philip Nkhakananga, as the centre referee for the game.
Super Eagles hit camp today as CAF names Malawian official for qualifier
Chidera Ejuke of Sevilla celebrates after scoring a goal.