Nigeria’s Super Eagles Suffer Double Blow Ahead of Libya Clash
In a significant setback, Nigeria’s national team has been dealt a severe blow with the injury-induced absence of star striker Victor Osimhen and defender Olisa Ndah from the squad to face Libya in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The 23-man roster, announced recently, will instead be led by Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman and Bayer Leverkusen’s in-form striker Victor Boniface. Osimhen, who has made a remarkable start to his Turkish adventure, suffered a muscle injury during Galatasaray’s Turkish Super Lig match against Kasimpasa on September 28 and is expected to be sidelined for several weeks.
Despite the loss of Osimhen and Ndah, coach Austin Eguavoen has assembled a formidable squad, featuring six England-based players, including Fulham’s Alex Iwobi, Taiwo Awoniyi, Ola Aina, Calvin Bassey, and Semi Ajayi. The MLS is also represented by New England Revolution’s Alhassan Yusuf.
However, there is no place for Chelsea’s Tosin Adarabioyo, who had expressed interest in switching allegiance to Nigeria. According to officials, Adarabioyo would need to make a formal move to be considered for selection.
Meanwhile, winger Chidera Ejuke makes a welcome return to the squad after a two-year absence, following his impressive form in Sevilla. Nigeria will face Libya on October 11 in Uyo, before traveling to Benghazi for the second leg on October 15.
The full squad list includes:
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa), Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy), Amas Obasogie (Fasil Kenema SC, Ethiopia)
Defenders: William Troost-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)
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