2023 AFCON Qualifier: Full house Eagles hold first training session in Uyo

All the 23 Super Eagles’ players invited for the Sunday’s 2023 African Cup of Nations Qualifying tie against Sao Tome and Principe took part in the first training session held yesterday at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo.

The players who all arrived the Four Point by Sheraton Hotel, Ikot Ekpene which about 15 minutes’ drive from Uyo were all received warmly by their fans and other football purists in Akwa Ibom State and beyond and they were subsequently checked in at the iconic hotel.

The 23 players in camp are: Ojo Olorunleke, Kelechi Iheanacho, Jordan Torunarigha,

Orban Gift, Francis Uzoho, Tyrone Ebuehi, Adebayo Adeleye, Bruno Onyemaechi, Victor Boniface, Frank Onyeka, and Jamilu Collins who recently came back to football after a lengthy spell.

Others are: Taiwo Awoniyi, Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika, Calvin Bassey, William Troost Ekong, Ola Aina, Semi Ajayi, Joseph Aribo, Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, Simon Moses and new AC Milan acquisition, Samuel Chukwueze.

Nigeria with 12 points from five qualifying games will top Group A with a mere draw against Sao Tome that was whipped 10-0 away in the first leg. But they cannot finish less than second position in the group even in the event of an unlikely defeat in Uyo on Sunday.

The Super Eagles exited the delayed 2020 AFCON held in Cameroon in 2021 in the second round despite topping their group in the stage with maximum nine points.

A grand end to the 2024 Qualifiers on Sunday will cement the team among the favourites next year in Cote d’Ivoire.