Behold, Nigeria’s AFCON 2023 soldiers
Nwabili is one of the two goalkeepers in the Eagles squad making their debut at the tournament.
The Chippa United goalie already been capped by the home-based Eagles, has being in great form keeping seven clean sheets in 14 games conceding 12 goals in South Africa’s topflight division.
Francis Uzoho
Under-fire goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, will be the under spotlight when the AFCON tournament kicks-off in two weeks. The 24-year-old’s form for the Eagles has been the talking point following the recent results of the team against Saudi Arabia, Mozambique, Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
The Omonia Nicosia stopper has been inactive this season playing four times for his club and conceding six times.
Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba)
Enyimba’s first choice will battle Stanley Nwabili for the second choice position. Ojo is the only player from the Nigerian Professional Football League in the squad and he has blown hot and cold for the Elephant this term despite their recent impressive results.
Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto)
Sanusi is one of the surprise inclusion in the Eagles squad for the tournament having recently recovered from a muscle injury. He has one goal to his name in nine appearances in 647 minutes of action.
Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest)
Fit-again Ola Aina will be making his third AFCON appearance in Ivory Coast having featured at the last two editions in Egypt and Cameroon. The right-back has made 13 appearances scoring a goal and making an assist for Nottingham Forest helping the Tricky Trees keep three clean sheets in the Premier League. William Troost-Ekong (PAOK)
Troost-Ekong has become one of the stalwarts in the Eagles squad since he dumped Holland, the country of his birth and who he represented at youth levels, for Nigeria.
Despite being left out from the squad for over a year, the PAOK defender is one of the most consistent Nigerian centre backs in Europe this season. So far this term, he played 21 times providing one assist. Ekong has continued to prove himself as the undisputed top choice at the heart of defence but it remains to be seen if he will be a starter in Ivory Coast.
Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista)
Another AFCON debutant in the Eagles squad, Onyemaechi who has made 12 appearances for Boavista in the Portuguese league this season has one assist. He is expected to be the first choice at the tournament barring in mind Sanusi’s fitness level.
Bright Osayi-Samuel
Undoubtedly the Eagles undisputed right-back heading into the 34th edition of the AFCON, Osayi-Samuel is one of Nigeria’s players who have been in excellent form since the start of tue 2023/24 season.
The 25-year-old has appeared 24 times for Fenerbahce across all competitions this season, scoring two goals and registering four assists.
The Nigerian is one of Europe’s defender with highest number of assists this term.
His service on tue right flank will definitely help the team draw out opponents when the AFCON kicks off.
