Star forward missing as Nigeria announces 23-man squad for Libya qualifiers

• Coach Augustine Eguavoen has named a 23-man squad for Nigeria's AFCON qualifiers
• Key players like William Troost-Ekong, Ademola Lookman, and Olaoluwa Aina have been enlisted in the squad
• Nigeria hosts Libya in Uyo on October 11 before travelling to Benghazi four days later

Super Eagles head coach Augustine Eguavoen has rolled out his 23-man squad as Nigeria prepares for their crucial 2025 AFCON qualifying ties against Libya. 

Among the notable inclusions are players such as Captain William Ekong and Olaoluwa Aina, with Bruno Onyemaechi, Stanley Nwabali, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi and Fulham’s Calvin Bassey also featuring prominently. 

Midfield dominance will be led by Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika, and Fulham’s star man Alex Iwobi, who will be tasked with setting the tone for Nigeria’s attack. Meanwhile, forwards Victor Boniface, Samuel Chukwueze, and Taiwo Awoniyi are expected to lead the line. 

However, the absence of Nigeria’s reigning African Player of the Year, Victor Osimhen, due to injury, casts a shadow of doubt over the Super Eagle’s confidence level going into the games, along with the exclusion of injured centre-back Olisa Ndah. 

On a positive note, Bright Osayi-Samuel returns to the squad after sitting out the previous qualifiers, while Chidera Ejuke makes a long-awaited comeback to the national team after being excluded since 2022.

Nigeria will first host Libya on October 11th at Uyo’s Godswill Akpabio Stadium before the second leg in Benghazi, Libya, on October 15th. The entire squad is expected to converge in Uyo by October 7th for pre-match preparations.

Full Squad List

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Fasil Kenema SC, Ethiopia)

Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Benjamin Tanimu (Crawley Town, England)

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio FC. Italy); Frank Onyeka (Augsburg FC, Germany); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)

Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla FC, Spain); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England)

Super Eagles announces team for September AFCON qualifiers game

Previously, TheRadar reported that the Super Eagles of Nigeria have announced their squad for September’s African Cup of Nations qualifiers, with Napoli’s Victor Osimhen included among the 23 players selected. 

These upcoming fixtures against Benin Republic and Rwanda in September 7 and 10, respectively, will serve as the first challenge for new head coach Bruno Labbadia, who recently took over the reins of the national team.