Umar, Aina, Awoniyi, Iheanacho return as Chelle releases AFCON provisional squad

Head Coach Eric Chelle has picked Captain William Ekong, ace forward Victor Osimhen, midfielder Wilfred Ndidi and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali in a provisional list of 55 players for the upcoming 35th Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco.

Nottingham Forest’s Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi, Kelechi Iheanacho of Celtic Glasgow in Scotland, and Sadiq Umar of Real Sociedad in the Spanish topflight, have returned to the team as the Super Eagles prepare for the continental showpiece.

Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defenders Zaidu Sanusi, Calvin Bassey and Semi Ajayi, midfielders Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi and Raphael Onyedika, and forwards Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Simon Moses and Chidera Ejuke are also listed.

The list also has Nigeria Premier Football League stars Abdulrasheed Shehu (Niger Tornadoes), Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos), Ekeson Okorie (Nasarawa United), Chisom Orji (Warri Wolves), and Adekunle Adeleke (Abia Warriors).

A final list of 28 players will be drawn from the provisional list in a matter of days.

The Super Eagles are scheduled to arrive at a training camp in Egypt on Wednesday, 10th December. The team is expected to play a couple of friendly matches before the tournament begins on Sunday, 21st December.

Nigeria is in Group C of the tournament alongside Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda.

Provisional list of players:

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali; Amas Obasogie; Maduka Okoya; Adebayo Adeleye; Francis Uzoho; Ebenezer Harcourt.

Defenders: William Ekong; Olaoluwa Aina; Calvin Bassey; Oluwasemilogo Ajayi; Bright Osayi-Samuel; Bruno Onyemaechi; Chidozie Awaziem; Zaidu Sanusi; Igoh Ogbu; Felix Agu; Ryan Alebiosu; Adekunle Adeleke.

Midfielders: Alex Iwobi; Frank Onyeka ; Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi ; Wilfred Ndidi; Raphael Onyedika; Christantus Uche; Tochukwu Nnadi; Fisayo Dele-Bashiru; Ebenezer Akinsanmiro ; Usman Muhammed; Peter Agba; Tom Dele-Bashiru.

Forwards: Ademola Lookman; Samuel Chukwueze; Victor Osimhen; Simon Moses; Chidera Ejuke; Tolu Arokodare; Akor Adams; Olakunle Olusegun; Sadiq Umar; Kelechi Iheanacho; Taiwo Awoniyi; Victor Boniface; Paul Onuachu; Terem Moffi; Nathan Tella; Cyriel Dessers; Abdulrasheed Shehu; Rafiu Durosinmi; Ekeson Okorie; Chisom Orji; Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi; Philip Otele; Salim Fago Lawal; Emmanuel Michael.

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