Chukwueze, Nwabili Swell Super Eagles in Camp to 19 Players

*Peseiro gives reason for snubbing Dessers from Nigeria’s party to Côte d’Ivoire

Kunle Adewale

AC Milan’s Samuel Chukwueze and South Africa-based goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabili, were the latest addition to Super Eagles camp in Abu Dhabi as at press time last night to swell the list of players in the training base to 19.

Chukwueze was initially excused to feature in Milan’s Tuesday night Coppa Italia clash with Cagliari before heading to the camp in the UAE.

Those who took part in the first training session in Abu Dhabi include; Ahmed Musa, Kenneth Omeruo, Moses Simon, Olorunleke Ojo, Alex Iwobi, Semi Ajayi, Ola Aina, Cavin Bassey, Ademola Lookman, Joe Aribo, Frank Onyeka and Bruno Onyemaechi.

Others are; Chidozie Awaziem, Zaidu Sanusi, Victor Boniface, Bright Onyedika, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Chukwueze and Nwabili.

All others were being expected last night for full training to start in ernest today.

Meanwhile, Super Eagles Head Coach, Jose Peseiro, has explained why he opted to snub Glasgow Rangers striker, Cyriel Dessers in his 2023 Africa Cup of Nations squad slated for Côte d’Ivoire. 

The Ibrox hitman has scored nine goals so far for Rangers in all competitions after his £4.3 million summer move from Cremonese in Italy.

Although Dessers was named in Nigeria’s preliminary list, he didn’t make the final cut for the 25-man squad for the finals.

The Portuguese gaffer yesterday revealed why he didn’t take the four-time capped striker to the Finals.

He said: “We could have taken 27 players, but the federation decided to go with 25 and I agreed because it is easy to manage this number.

“We first came up with the 41 players, then the players who made the final list have been with us and they have shown good performance.

“For the ones who aren’t in the final squad, there are players who showed good performance for their clubs, but didn’t do well in the national team.

“Also, there are players who do well for the national team and didn’t do well for their clubs.

“So we looked at current form, if they are playing well and showed good condition and came up with the final list.

“It was not easy to choose the 25 players, but it was my responsibility and I hope and pray they play well for us.“

EAGLES IN CAMP

Ahmed Musa, Kenneth Omeruo, Moses Simon, Olorunleke Ojo, Alex Iwobi, Semi Ajayi, Ola Aina, Cavin Bassey, Ademola Lookman, Joe Aribo, Frank Onyeka, Bruno Onyemaechi, Chidozie Awaziem, Zaidu Sanusi, Victor Boniface, Bright Onyedika, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Samuel Chukwueze, Stanley Nwabili.

…Yusuf Replaces Injured Ndidi  in Peseiro’s Squad

Amidst doubt over the availability of Leicester City midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire due to injury, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)  has confirmed that the midfield enforcer will remain at the Kings Power Stadium after withdrawing from the Nigerian squad to the biennial competition.

The midfielder had been called up for the tournament, which takes place this month, alongside City teammate Kelechi Iheanacho, but their places in the squad had been thrown into doubt due to injury.

Ndidi was left out of the City match-day squad for the New Year’s Day win over Huddersfield. Manager Enzo Maresca confirmed after the game that he missed out due to injury, sparking doubts over whether he would be able to compete at AFCON.

“Kele and Wilf are both injured, but they are now going to be with the international team,” Maresca said. “We’ll see if they’re going to keep them or send them back. But they are both injured unfortunately for us.”

It has now been confirmed by the NFF that Ndidi has withdrawn from the squad due to injury. The federation also confirmed that Iheanacho, who has missed the last two games, is still working to be available.

An official statement read: “Midfielder Alhassan Yusuf replaces injured Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho still hopeful to join the team before AFCON commences.”

How serious Ndidi’s injury is still to be seen. Leicester City will hope that the midfielder can return to action sooner than he would have been able to if he had travelled to the tournament with Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the eggheads of the NFF are still hopeful Ndidi’s Leicester team-mate, Iheanacho will be able to join the squad.

Iheanacho, 27, has missed the Foxes’ past two games in the Championship with a muscle problem.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles are to begin their Group A campaign against Equatorial Guinea on 14 January, and the three-time African champions will also face hosts Ivory Coast and Guinea-Bissau in the group stage.