Nigeria name star-studded squad for the African Cup of Nations

Josh Peseiro has named a 25 man AFCON squad oozing with Premier League quality headlined by Napoli's Victor Osimhen.

The Super Eagles were the continent's top scorers in qualifying, putting double figures past São Tomé and Princípe.

A shock loss at home to Guinea-Bissau was the only downpoint of the campaign.

Peseiro is the tenth man to manage Nigeria since they last tasted success in 2013 and he is hoping to add a fourth AFCON to their trophy cabinet.

The Super Eagles will be desperate to improve on their poor performance at the last AFCON. No player scored more than one goal as they whimpered out in the Round of 16 to Tunisia, who they had defeated in the third place play-off in 2019.

Peseiro's man are strong favourites to progress from Group A. They face Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau either side of a mouthwatering clash with hosts Côte d'Ivoire on the 18th of January.

Osimhen doubled the goal tally of anyone else in qualifying as he bagged ten goals for the three time champions. His 26 goals in Serie A last season helped Napoli win their first Scudetto in 33 years. Osimhen will be looking to maintain his prolific scoring record for the

Super Eagles, and with 20 goals in just 27 caps he is within touching distance of Rashidi Yekini's record.

Since 2013 when Emmanuel Emineke was the tournament's top scorer, only Odion Ighalo has scored multiple goals for Nigeria at the tournament; when he top scored in 2019.

Few come close to Ahmed Musa in Nigerian footballing history, with no player having more caps than Musa's 108. The former Leicester City man is the only Nigerian to score in more than one World Cup and the only Nigerian to score twice in a World Cup game. He captained the Super Eagles in Russia and could become the first Nigerian man to lift the AFCON since Vincent Enyeama.

Victor Boniface's wait for his first international goal will continue as the Leverkusen sharpshooter has withdrawn from the squad today.

The 23 year-old has 16 goals in all competitions for an unbeaten Leverkusen this season. Having only made his debut last September, Boniface will miss his first tournament for his country due to a groin problem.

Nice striker Teren Moffi has been called up in his place and should be a solid reserve. His consistent scoring record in Ligue 1 and four senior goals for Nigeria in 12 appearances highlight his potential.

Perhaps the most notable Nigerian currently playing in the Premier League, Taiwo Awoniyi will miss the tournament due to a groin injury. This further increases the pressure on Osimhen's shoulders, however the 25 year-old is more than capable of leading his country to success.

However, Nottingham Forest won't be without representation in the Nigerian camp. Former Chelsea and Torino defender Ola Aina is one of the top full-backs at the tournament.

The attack minded 27 year-old will be looking to score his first international goal and nail down a place in the Team of the Tournament.

Leicester's Wilfred Ndidi would have had his sights set on a first major honour for Nigeria in 10 years, however he is set to be sidelined for three months.

In Ndidi the competition is losing one of its top midfielders; he is being replaced by the Royal Antwerp's Alhassan Yusuf.

Premier League duo Alex Iwobi and Frank Onyeka look set to form a dynamic modified partnership in Ndidi's absence.

Enzo Maresca will also be without the services of Kelechi Iheanacho for the next month. The former Manchester City striker is the squad's third top scorer with 15 goals in 50 caps. Iheanacho was the first Nigeria player to score at the last tournament, netting the only goal against Egypt, and the last player to score in qualifying with his equaliser against Zimbabwe.

Ex-Ajax man Calvin Bassey could play behind his clubmate Iwobi at centre-back. Former Hornet Will Troost-Ekong captained the side during qualifying and the duo would be one of the most formidable pairings in the tournament.

Moses Simon has captained the side numerous times and his pace along with AC Milan’s Samuel Chukwueze will certainly cause nightmares for every full-back in the tournament.

Nigeria Squad:

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabili (Chippa United, South Africa), Francis Uzoho (Omonia, Cyprus), Leke Ojo (Enyimba, Nigeria).

Defenders: William Troost-Ekong (PAOK, Greece), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce, Turkey), Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest, England), Zaidu Sanusi (Porto, Portugal), Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista, Portugal), Semi Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England), Calvin Bassey (Fulham, England), Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista, Portugal), Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa, Turkey).

Midfielders: Raphael Onyedika (Club Bruges, Belgium), Joe Aribo (Southampton, England), Frank Onyeka (Brentford, England), Alex Iwobi (Fulham, England), Alhassan Yusuf (Royal Antwerp, Belgium).

Forwards: Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England), Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy), Moses Simon (Nantes, France), Ademola Lookman (Atalanta, Italy), Victor Osimhen (Napoli, Italy), Teren Moffi (Nice, France) Ahmed Musa (Sivasspor, Turkey), Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain).