AFCON Qualifiers: Super Eagles Open Camp For Sao Tome & Principe Tomorrow

Nigeria’s Super Eagles will begin preparation for their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sao Tome and Principe in Uyo on Wednesday.

The three African champions were initially scheduled to open camp yesterday for the Group A encounter slated for the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Sunday, September 10, but it has now been shifted to Wednesday.

The invited players are expected to start arriving in the country from yesterday’s night.

Coach Jose Peseiro on Sunday listed on-field captain William Ekong, defender Tyronne Ebuehi and Semi Ajayi, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka, and forwards Moses Simon, Victor Osimhen and Taiwo Awoniyi, among others for the AFCON 2023’s qualification series final-day encounter against Sao Tome and Principe.

The Portuguese gaffer also called three goalkeepers (including home-based Olorunleke Ojo), eight defenders, four midfielders and eight forwards for the game.

Nigeria, on 12 points from their previous five matches, are already guaranteed a place in the finals, but must earn at least a point to be sure of topping the group ahead of second-placed Guinea Bissau, who are on 10 points and play at home to Sierra Leone in Bissau.

Peseiro has called for the first time Belgium-based centre-back Jordan Torunarigha and forwards Victor Boniface and Gift Orban, and there are recalls for Portugal-based left back Bruno Onyemaechi and defensive midfielder Raphael Onyedika.

The list of 23 invited players was made public by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Sunday.

The game is slated for the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, on Sunday, September 10.

The Super Eagles, on 12 points from their previous five matches, are already guaranteed a place in the finals but must earn at least a point to be sure of topping the group ahead of second-placed Guinea Bissau, who are on 10 points and play at home to Sierra Leone in Bissau.