Super Eagles Head Coach Jose Peseiro has unveiled a 33-man provisional squad for the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast.
The list includes new faces, such as Montpellier forward Jerome Akor and Chippa United goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
Sources close to the team revealed that the provisional squad has been submitted to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), with the expectation that it will be trimmed down to a maximum of 27 players before the tournament kicks off.
Among the new names making waves are Alhassan Yusuf, the midfielder from Antwerp, and Chuba Akpom, who represents Ajax. Another player, currently playing for a top Tunisian outfit, is also rumored to be part of the provisional squad.
Preparations for the AFCON are set to commence on January 2, 2024, with the team scheduled to camp in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Players are expected to start arriving at the camp on January 1. Jose Peseiro’s squad will participate in a three-nation tournament in the UAE, facing off against Democratic Republic of Congo and Burkina Faso as part of the build-up to the continental competition.
The Super Eagles are drawn into Group A alongside hosts Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau. Peseiro is expected to finalize his 55-man provisional squad for submission to CAF by January 7, 2024. The announcement of the provisional squad reflects the anticipation and excitement as Nigeria aims for success in the prestigious AFCON tournament.
