As expected, the Super Eagles have left out Victor Osimhen from the squad for a 2027 AFCON double-header against Tanzania later this month, but there is also no place for Kelechi Iheanacho, who has been taking Turkey by storm with his goals.
Osimhen today underwent knee surgery and will be oout for several weeks, his Turkish team Galatasaray announced.
Iheanacho, on the other hand, is the leading scorer in the Turkish second division with 17 goals and was even on target when a makeshift Super Eagles held Russia to a thrilling 3-3 draw last month.
The Super Eagles will therefore be counting on Jerome Akor and Tolu Arokodare for goals in a must-win tie against Tanzania.
Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has also been left out after his late reporting to camp last month sparked an outcry, while Slavia Praha midfielder Mubarak Suleiman will get a chance to make his debut after he was not released by his club for the Russia friendly.
The Super Eagles host tournament joint-hosts Tanzania at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday, 13th November, before flying out for the return against the Taifa Stars at Zanzibar’s Amman Stadium on Tuesday, 17th November.
Nigeria, currently in second position in Group L, must win both games to improve their chances of picking the only ticket from the pool for the final tournament in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda next summer.
Goalkeepers: Arthur Okonkwo (Charlton Athletic, England); Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus); Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa)
Defenders: Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Benjamin Fredricks (Brentford FC, England); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Chibuike Nwaiwu (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham FC, England); Abdullahi Bewene (Banik Ostrava, Czechia)
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Alhassan Yusuf (New England Revolution, USA); Tochukwu Nnadi (Olympic Marseille, France); Samson Tijani (FK Podbrezova, Slovakia); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy); Mubarak Suleiman (SK Slavia Prague, Czechia)
Forwards: Moses Simon (Paris FC, France); Taiwo Awoniyi (Coventry City, England); Akor Adams (Venezia FC, Italy); Ademola Lookman (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Tolu Arokodare (Ajax FC, The Netherlands); Moses Usor (LASK FC, Austria)
