Sierra Leone Vs Nigeria 2023 AFCON qualifier: 19 Players Arrive As Eagles Camp Bubbles
Iheanacho, Ndidi, Iwobi, Ekong, Lookman, 14 others hit camp
As many as 19 players arrived on the opening day of the Super Eagles training camp with Everton midfielder, Alex Iwobi leading the early birds.
Iwobi made history as the second Nigerian to start and play in all 38 games in a Premier League season and was fittingly named the Toffees’ player of the
season.
Atalanta forward, Ademola Lookman who scored 15 goals and provided seven assists in 33 games for his club is also in camp with Southampton’s Joe Aribo and
Ajax of Netherlands defender, Calvin Bassey.
Kevin Akpoguma, the TSG Hoffenheim player is one of the defenders in camp. The 28 year old started 28 of the 30 games he featured in for his ‘village’ club
in the just ended Bundesliga season in Germany.
Also is West Brom defender, Semi Ajayi who scored twice in 25 games for his club.
Other players in the team’s Abuja camp include Kenneth Omeruo, Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Taiwo Awoniyi, Moses Simon, Adebayo Adeleye, Victor Sochima,
Olorunleke Ojo, Chidiebube Duru, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Divine Nwachukwu and Brentford midfielder, Frank Onyeka.
The quertet of Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, Ahmed Musa and Zaidu Sanusi are expected Monday.
Nigeria are top of group A in the qualifiers with nine points from four matches. Sierra Leone have five points after playing the same number of matches.
A win for coach John Kester side will bring them back in contention for one of the two slots from the group, while a victory for the Eagles will ensure their
qualification for the competition slated to hold in Cote d’Ivoire next year, with a game to spare.
The three-time African champions defeated their fellow West African side 2-1 in the first leg at the Moshood Abiola national stadium in Abuja last year, with
the the team coming from behind to snatch a victory.
Nigeria have not won the AFCON in 10 years, and technical adviser Jose Peseiro has insisted that he is poised to win the fourth title for Nigeria in the
coming edition of the competition.
