Nigeria Football Federation don announce the 23-man squad for the Super Eagles ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers double-header against Libya‘s Mediterranean Knights. The squad, which was announced on October 6, include some familiar faces and a few new additions.
The average age of the squad na 25 years and 351 days, with William Troost-Ekong being the oldest at 31 years and 34 days, and Benjamin Tanimu the youngest at 22 years and 73 days. Semi Ajayi of West Bromwich Albion has played the most minutes in the league so far, logging 803 minutes over nine matches, while Benjamin Tanimu is yet to debut for his new club Crawley Town.
Sevilla striker Kelechi Iheanacho lead the pack with 15 goals in 55 matches, followed by Alex Iwobi with ten goals in 81 games. The squad also feature six players who were born abroad, including Maduka Okoye, Semi Ajayi, Ademola Lookman, Ola Aina, Calvin Bassey, and William Troost-Ekong.
The players are spread across clubs in twelve different countries, with England having the most representation with seven players. Notable inclusions are Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika, and Frank Onyeka, while Chidera Ejuke has been summoned to the national team for the first time since September 2022.
The late announcement of the squad by the NFF has raised concerns among fans and critics, who point out that such delays can affect player preparation and team cohesion. This pattern of late announcements has become a recurring issue in Nigerian football, highlighting the need for better organizational processes within the NFF.
