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By Peter Akinbo
The Super Eagles camp for the 2023 African Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast will open in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday (today), The PUNCH reports.
Jose Peseiro’s side have been drawn in Group A alongside hosts, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea Bissau, and have adopted the catch-phrase ‘Let’s Do It Again’ as their battlecry towards winning a fourth Africa Cup of Nations title in early next year.
The Portuguese tactician last year on two occasions had promised to bring smiles to the faces of Nigerians by winning the long-coveted trophy after the country last won it in 2013 under the guidance of late Stephen Keshi.
Peseiro named his 25-man squad for the tournament on Friday, calling up African Footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen, captain, Ahmed Musa, and Chippa United goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabili.
Nwabili, drafted in to solve the team’s goalkeeping crisis is joined by long-standing first-choice, Francis Uzoho and Enyimba FC goal-stopper, Olorunleke Ojo who is the only home-based player in the squad.
However, Taiwo Awoniyi is out of the squad due to injury thus paving the way for the return of Sadiq Umar to the squad.
Leicester boss Enzo Maresca has given an update on the fitness of Kelechi Iheanacho amid concerns that he might miss the upcoming AFCON and also shed light on Wilfred Ndidi’s well-being after missing their victory over Huddersfield Town on Monday.
Iheanacho missed the Foxes’ 2-0 win over Cardiff last Friday and that prompted suggestions in some sections of the local media that he might not be available for the Africa Cup of Nations.
He was also not named in the matchday squad in the Championship table-toppers’ victory over Huddersfield, thereby casting further doubt over his fitness.
Speaking in his post-match duties about the players that missed their victory over the Terriers on Monday, Maresca confirmed that the 2013 FIFA U17 World Cup winner was injured but will report to the Super Eagles camp for AFCON preparation.
He added that Ndidi also missed their encounter due to injury but will resume camp alongside Iheanacho.
“Kele and Wilf are both injured, but they are now going to be with the international team,” the Foxes manager said in quotes relayed by LeicestershireLive.
“We’ll see if they’re going to keep them or send them back. But they are both injured unfortunately for us. ”
Iheanacho made four appearances in the last edition of the Africa Cup of Nations while Ndidi on the other hand could be playing in the competition for the third time having been involved in the 2019 and 2021 editions of the tournament.
Other players called up to the squad are expected to arrive in camp today including Osimhen, Musa, Nwabili, Ojo, Ola Aina, Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman among others.