How Africa
Nigeria’s national men’s football team coach Gernot Rohr named a provisional 25-man squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations to be held in Egypt.
Among the notable inclusions in the Super Eagles squad are former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel, Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho and Villarreal winger Samuel Chukwueze.
Chukwueze chose to play for the senior men’s team in the continental showpiece instead of the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Poland.
Mikel’s last game for the Super Eagles was at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. He did not feature during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Nigeria will set up their training base at Asaba between June 2 to June 9 before heading to the Egyptian city of Ismailia. They are scheduled to play Senegal in a pre-tournament friendly on June 16.
Nigeria are in Group B with Guinea and AFCON debutantes Burundi and Madagascar.
Nigeria will play their opening match against Burundi on June 22 at the Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria.
Nigeria’s provisional squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Daniel Akpeyi.
Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina, Abdullahi Shehu, Chidozie Awaziem, William Ekong, Leon Balogun, Kenneth Omeruo, Jamilu Collins, Semi Ajayi.
Midfielders: John Mikel Obi, Wilfred Ndidi, Oghenekaro Etebo, John Ogu.
Forwards: Ahmed Musa, Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon, Henry Onyekuru, Odion Ighalo, Alexander Iwobi, Samuel Kalu, Paul Onuachu, Kelechi Iheanacho, Samuel Chukwueze.
On standby: Theophilus Afelokhai, Bryan Idowu, Ikouwem Utin, Mikel Agu, Junior Ajayi, Valentine Ozornwafor.
