The star studded Nigerian Super Eagles started their quest for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in fine style at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja when they beat Sierra Leone 2-1 in the 2023 AFCON qualifying match.
The visitors took the lead through a goal from Jonathan Morsay, but two rescue goals from Alex Iwobi and Victor Osimhen saw Nigeria claim all three points in the Group A opener.
However, the Super Eagles will be hoping for more of the same victory when they play against bottom team Sao Tome.
Despite the previous commendable victory, the Eagles are faced with a tricky assignment against Sao Tome and Principe.
Former Super Eagles midfielder, Henry Nwosu cautions that it would be naive to underestimate the opponent side as every country in Africa is now playing good football.
The qualification matches for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) started June 5th, 2022. The draws for the qualifiers of this competition will be held in July, 2022 during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Preliminary Draw Ceremony.
How Teams Qualify for AFCON
The teams have been divided into six groups of four teams each. However, Group H has only three teams after Kenya were suspended by FIFA for government interference in football and Zimbabwe were disqualified for failing to meet international match standards.
The winners and runners-up from each group will qualify for the 24-team finals, with the exception of Group H where Ivory Coast have already qualified as hosts.
Super Eagles Previous AFCON performance
According to SportsBettingDime.com, Nigeria has been one of the most successful teams at the AFCON, winning the tournament on three occasions and finishing 3rd place 15 times since 1976.
However, in recent years, they’ve struggled to live up to this potential, with some disappointing performances at major tournaments.
The Super Eagles will be hoping to improve on their performance at the last AFCON tournament where they were knocked out after losing 1-0 to Tunisia in the quarter finals.
In addition, Nigeria will be facing strategic competition in their quest to qualify for the 2023 AFCON. However, we have a good chance of making it through to the competition.
Super Eagles 2023 AFCON Squad
The squad is made up of 27 players and will be led by coach José Peseiro.
The following is the full list of players:
Defenders
Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy)
William Ekong (Watford FC, England)
Abdullahi Shehu (AC Omonia, Cyprus)
Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal)
Chidozie Awaziem (Alanyaspor FC, Turkey)
Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England);
Calvin Bassey (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland)
Sani Faisal (Katsina United)
Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland)
Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain)
Midfielders
Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland)
Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England)
Oghenekaro Etebo (Watford FC, England)
Innocent Bonke (FC Lorient, France)
Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England)
Forwards
Ahmed Musa (Fatih Karagumruk, Turkey)
Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal CF, Spain)
Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France)
Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy)
Cyriel Dessers (Feyenoord FC, The Netherlands)
Ademola Lookman (Leicester City, England)
Sadiq Umar (UD Almeria, Spain)
Terem Moffi (FC Lorient, France)
Emmanuel Dennis(Watford, England)
Goalkeepers
Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus)
Adewale Adeyinka (Akwa United)
Adebayo Adeleye (Hapoel Jerusalem, Israel)
