By Chima Azu
Nigerian Interim coach Augustine Eguavoen has announced his 28 man squad for the fast approaching African Nations Cup which will be held in Cameroon. The ex Super Eagles player took over from Rohr who was fired few weeks ago and would be leading the Eagles to the biggest African football showpiece.
The surprise inclusions in the squad are former under 17 midfielder Kelechi Nwakali who plays for Heusca in Spain’s second division, striker Sadiq Umar of Almeria’s also in the same division with Nwakali, defender Olisa Ndah who plays in the South African league for Orlando Pirates. He also included a local based goalkeeper John Noble who plays for Enyimba of Aba.
Also the usual suspects still made the squad :
Goalkeepers : Maduka Okoye, Francis Uzoho, Daniel Akpeyi.
Defenders : Troost Ekong (Watford), Kenneth Omeruo (Leganes), Chidozie Awaziem (Alanyaspor), Leon Balogun (Rangers), Ola Aina (Torino), Jamilu Collins (Paderborn), Abdullahi Shehu (AC Omonia), Zaidu Sanusi (Porto).
Midfieders : Joe Aribo (Rangers), Frank Onyeka (Brentford), Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester), Chidera Ejuke (Cska Moscow)
Attackers : Victor Osimhen (Napoli), Samuel Chukwueza (Villarreal), Taiwo Awoniyi (Union Berlin), Odion Ighalo (Al Shabab Saudi Arabia), Emmanuel Dennis (Watford), Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester), Ahmed Musa (Karagumruk Turkey), Moses Simon (Nantes), Alex Iwobi (Everton).
Nigeria are in Group D with Egypt, Sudan, and Guinea Bissau. The Super Eagles will kick off their campaign on 11th January against the Pharaohs of Egypt. All players are expected to report the Abuja Camp on the 29th of December while those that play in England are to arrive on the 3rd of January.
