•Uzoho, Onuachu make comeback

By Joe Apu

Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen will lead Eric Chelle’s 28-man Super Eagles squad for the 35th Africa Cup of Nations, set to kick off later this month in Morocco.

Osimhen, currently with Galatasaray and the nation’s second-highest all-time goalscorer, will lead Nigeria’s charge for a fourth continental title and their first since 2013.

With William Troost-Ekong retired and Benjamin Fredrick ruled out through injury, Chelle has opted to rely on a familiar defensive core, including Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Zaidu Sanusi, Bruno Onyemaechi and Bright Osayi-Samuel. Blackburn Rovers defender Ryan Alebiosu, newly cleared to represent Nigeria, also earns a spot.

Goalkeeper Francis Uzoho returns to the squad after a period out of favour. He is joined by Amas Obasogie and the injured Stanley Nwabali, who has been included as he continues recovery.

In midfield, 20-year-old Ebenezer Akinsanmiro receives his first senior call-up. The former Beyond Limits prospect has impressed on loan at Pisa from Inter Milan and bypasses all youth national team levels to make the AFCON roster.

Striker Paul Onuachu is recalled following a run of strong form for Trabzonspor in the Turkish Super Lig.

The Super Eagles will open their preparations at a training camp in Egypt, where they are scheduled to face the Pharaohs in a warm-up match on December 16. The team will then head to Morocco ahead of the tournament’s kickoff on December 21.

Nigeria, runners-up at the last edition in Côte d’Ivoire, have been drawn in Group C alongside Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda. They begin their campaign on December 23 with a clash against Tanzania in Fes.

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus)

Defenders: Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn Rovers, England)

Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy); Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa SC, Italy); Usman Muhammed (Ironi Tiberias, Israel); Tochukwu Nnadi (SV Zulte Waregem, Belgium)

Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain); Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain); Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor AS, Turkey); Salim Fago Lawal (NK Istra 1961, Croatia); Cyriel Dessers (Panathinaikos FC, Greece).