Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong, who recently hinted at retirement from international football, has been named in Nigeria’s 55-man provisional squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced the list on Tuesday, confirming that head coach Eric Chelle has also selected star striker Victor Osimhen, vice-captain Wilfred Ndidi, and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali for the championship.
The provisional squad features a blend of seasoned internationals and Nigeria Premier League talents.
Goalkeepers Maduka Okoye, Adebayo Adeleye, Francis Uzoho, and Ebenezer Harcourt make up the rest of the goalkeeping department.
Defenders include Olaoluwa Aina, Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Zaidu Sanusi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, and others, while midfield options include Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Raphael Onyedika, Wilfred Ndidi, and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.
In attack, Osimhen will be supported by Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Simon Moses, Chidera Ejuke, Kelechi Iheanacho, Taiwo Awoniyi, Terem Moffi, Paul Onuachu, Nathan Tella, Victor Boniface, and several others.
The list also recognises home-based stars such as Abdulrasheed Shehu, Ebenezer Harcourt, Ekeson Okorie, Chisom Orji, and Adekunle Adeleke.
The NFF indicated that the squad would be trimmed to 28 players in the coming days.
Super Eagles are scheduled to enter a training camp in Egypt on 10 December, ahead of friendly matches preceding the tournament, which kicks off on 21 December. Nigeria has been drawn in Group C alongside Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda.
Nigeria is set to face Egypt in a warm-up friendly on 14 December, although many top players from European clubs may not feature due to FIFA rules allowing their clubs to retain players until 15 December.
Consequently, players joining later may miss several club matches, particularly if Nigeria progresses beyond the group stage, which concludes on 31 December.
Should the team advance, the knockout rounds are slated between 3 and 17 January, culminating in the final. Players’ return to clubs is likely from 24 January onwards.
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