AFCON Updates: Nigeria name final 23-man squad

Nigeria national team coach Gernot Rohr has named his 23-man squad for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, which is set to take place in Egypt.

The Super Eagles were drawn in Group B alongside Burundi and Madagascar, who will be participating in the tournament for the first time in their history, as well as Guinea.

German coach Gernot Rohr released a 25-man provisional squad ahead of the upcoming AFCON, which saw Al Ahly’s Junior Ajayi included on the standby list.

However, the 23-year-old failed to make the cut as Rohr confirmed the 23-man final squad. Ajayi was left out alongside Leicester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho and Rotherham United defender Semi Ajayi.

On the other hand, the squad saw the inclusion of Premier League based-players Leon Balogun, Wilfred Ndidi, and Alex Iwobi.

Team captain John Obi Mikel also made the list alongside Chelsea loanee Ola Aina, William Ekong of Udinese, and Villarreal forward Samuel Chukwueze.

Full squad:

Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Anorthosis Famagusta), Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Katsina United F.C), Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs).

Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Torino), Abdullahi Shehu (Bursaspor), Chidozie Awaziem (Rizespor), William Ekong (Udinese), Leon Balogun (Brighton& Hove Albion), Kenneth (CD Leganés), Jamilu Collins (SC Paderborn 07).

Midfielders: John Obi Mikel (Middlesbrough), Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City), Oghenekaro Etebo (Stoke City), John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva).

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Al-Nassr), Victor Osimhen (Charleroi), Moses Simon (Levante), Odion Ighalo (Shanghai Greenland Shenhua), Henry Onyekuru (Galatasaray), Alex Iwobi (Arsenal), Samuel Kalu (Bordeaux), Paul Onuachu (Midtjylland), Samuel Chukweze (Villarreal CF).

Source: NAN