Kenneth AFOR, LAGOS
The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) on Friday announced a 23-man squad that will trade tackles in an international friendly with Portugal in Lisbon on Thursday.
SC Napoli’s talisman, Victor Osimhen including Atlanta FC’s Ademola Lookman and Leicester City’s midfield marshal, Wilfred Ndidi have been invited for the encounter.
Although, the Super Eagles are yet to record a win in their previous friendly outings against Algeria and Costa Rica however, there is hope of getting a positive outcome from Thursday’s friendly.
Among the big names on the list are Arsenal’s Hale End Academy graduate and Everton midfielder, Alex Iwobi and Tottenham Hotspur-reared defender William Troost-Ekong.
Nottingham Forest’s Emmanuel Dennis, Southampton’s Joe Aribo, Watford’s Maduka Okoye and Brentford’s Frank Onyeka will also be on the plane to Portugal next week.
Bright Osayi-Samuel has been rewarded for his fine form and new-found versatility with a maiden call-up to the Super Eagles and the other outfield players in contention to make their debuts are Boavista defender Bruno Onyemaechi and Rivers United star Ebube Duru.
See full squad below:
Goalkeepers: Maduka Okoye (Watford FC, England); Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Adebayo Adeleye (Hapoel Jerusalem, Israel).
Defenders: William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Olisa Ndah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa); Calvin Bassey (Ajax FC, The Netherlands); Kevin Akpoguma (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany); Chidiebube Duru (Rivers United); Tyronne Ebuehi (Empoli FC, Italy); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Bright Osayi Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey).
Midfielders: Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Oghenekaro Etebo (Aris Thessaloniki, Greece).
Forwards: Moses Simon (Nantes FC, France); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Terem Moffi (Lorient FC, France); Paul Onuachu (Genk FC, Belgium); Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy); Emmanuel Dennis (Nottingham Forest, England)
The match will be played at the Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon on Thursday, November 17, 19:45 hours kickoff.
