The new signing of Saudi Arabia’s Al-Kholood FC, William Troost-Ekong has returned to the Nigerian national team for the first time since the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast.
He is joined by Nottingham Forest duo, Olaoluwa Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi, along with Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen. These players are among the 23 selected by the Nigeria Football Federation for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Benin Republic on September 7th and Rwanda on September 10th, 2024 respectively.
Awoniyi, who has been sidelined since the 1-1 draw with Lesotho in Uyo during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers last November due to injury, is making his return to the squad. The team list includes three goalkeepers, seven defenders, six midfielders, and seven forwards.
AFCON 2023 standout, Stanley Nwabali of Chippa United is set to join Udinese’s Maduka Okoye, with Amas Obasogie, a former Bendel Insurance goalkeeper who recently transferred to Ethiopia, also earning a recall.
In defense, Troost-Ekong, who was named the AFCON 2023 Player of the Tournament, will be supported by Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Olaoluwa Aina, and Olisah Ndah of Orlando Pirates, who is also returning to the squad.
The midfield lineup features Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika, Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, Lazio’s Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Frank Onyeka, and Alex Iwobi. Forwards, Osimhen and Awoniyi are joined by AC Milan’s Samuel Chukwueze, Sevilla’s Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Boniface, Moses Simon, and Ademola Lookman.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced that all players are expected to report to camp in Uyo on Monday, September 2, ahead of their first match against Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Akwa Ibom State’s capital. The new gaffer, Bruno Labbadia will be hoping to start his reign as new Super Eagles coach with a win in their first game against Benin Republic.
