Fulham’s Calvin Bassey and 6 others set to make AFCON debut for Super Eagles

Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro has released his squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, and out of the 25 players in the squad, six of them will be featuring in their first tournament.

Calvin Bassey

The Fulham star has been a regular for Peseiro since the Portuguese tactician took over as Super Eagles coach last year.

Bassey has also been a constant element in Fulham’s attack despite just arriving in the summer- he has made 14 appearances for Fulham in the Premier League.

Going into the AFCON, Bassey is expected to be a regular for the Super Eagles.

Victor Boniface

In 2021, when the last AFCON was played, Boniface was still a peripheral player at Norwegian club Bodo/Glimt. However, in the last two years, he has enjoyed a meteoric rise from playing in the Belgian league to becoming a regular for Bundesliga contenders Bayer Leverkusen.

Boniface will be looking to play an important role in Cameroon because of Peseiro’s preference for playing two strikers.

Stanley Nwabili

Nwabili is a last-minute addition to the team, and there is a high possibility that he will be the first choice in Ivory Coast instead of Uzoho. The Chippa United star has been a regular for his club, and Uzoho may be waving goodbye to his first team shirt if Nwabili impresses.

Ojo

Ojo is the only home-based player who made the 25-man squad. However, unless something special happens, the Enyimba shot-stopper will be glued to the bench for the entire competition.

Bright Osayi-Samuel

Osayi-Samuel is one of the players who is expected to light up the AFCON. He just made his debut last year, but he has adjusted to the African game. The Fenerbahce man offers a lot on both ends of the pitch, and he is a great competition for Ola Aina.

Bruno Onyemaechi

Onyemeachi is also another new addition to the team. The fullback has impressed whenever he has been on the pitch, and he would be looking to make an impact this time.

However, with Zaidu Sanusi and Tyrone Ebehi, he would have to work extra to get a place in the starting lineup.

Raphael Onyedika

The Club Brugge man is widely regarded as Wilfred Ndidi’s replacement. Onyedika is very smart on the ball, quick, and very rugged.

Obviously, Ndidi will be the first choice, but Onyedika could be introduced on a few occasions.