Victor Osimhen, Galatasaray forward, has been called back into the Super Eagles squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda, following his recovery from injury.
The striker missed last month’s matches due to the injury but is now fully fit and included in the 23-man squad announced by coach Augustine Eguavoen.
The Super Eagles will face the Cheetahs of Benin on November 14 at the Stade Felix-Houphouet-Boigny, followed by a home match against Rwanda’s Amavubi on November 18 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
Ademola Lookman, Ballon d’Or nominee and a top contender for the CAF African Player of the Year, also returns to the squad.
Meanwhile, defender Semi Ajayi is sidelined for four months due to a serious muscle injury that requires surgery, as confirmed by West Bromwich Albion manager Carlos Corberan.
His spot will be taken by Gabriel Osho of Auxerre, who is set for a potential debut after previously missing out on an appearance due to injury.
Coach Eguavoen is determined to field his strongest lineup for these critical matches despite needing only one point to qualify for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.
He aims to secure qualification early and potentially experiment with lineup changes in the second game against Rwanda.
Eguavoen’s team selection also sees the inclusion of Real Sociedad’s Sadiq Umar, who has shown good form after recovering from an ACL injury.
The attacking lineup features a strong combination of Osimhen, Lookman, Moses Simon, and Victor Boniface, supported by a midfield that includes Fulham’s Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, and Lazio’s Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.
Full Super Eagles Squad for November AFCON Qualifiers:
Goalkeepers:
- Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United)
- Maduka Okoye (Udinese)
- Amas Obasogie (Fasil Kenema)
Defenders:
- William Ekong (Al-Kholood)
- Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce)
- Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista)
- Gabriel Osho (Auxerre)
- Calvin Bassey (Fulham)
- Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest)
- Victor Collins (Nasarawa United)
Midfielders:
- Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City)
- Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge)
- Alhassan Yusuf (New England Revolution)
- Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio)
- Frank Onyeka (Augsburg)
- Alex Iwobi (Fulham)
Forwards:
- Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan)
- Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray)
- Ademola Lookman (Atalanta)
- Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla)
- Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen)
- Moses Simon (Nantes)
- Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad)
