AFCON Q: Osimhen, Awoniyi to lead Nigeria against Sierra Leone; see the 23 man list

Napoli forward, Victor Osimhen will lead Nigeria's attack as they prepare to face Sierra Leone in a must-win encounter after winning only one of two games against Guinea-Bissau in March.

The other attackers lined up to face the West African side are Nottingham Forest's Taiwo Awoniyi, Leicester City's Kelechi Iheanacho and captain Ahmed Musa.

Goalkeeper Adebayo Adeleye, who will replace Francis Uzoho, and defender William Troost-Ekong, who is returning to the team after a lengthy injury layoff.

The game against Sierra Leone could be a make-or-break fixture for the head coach of the Super Eagles, Jose Peseiro who has lost two in his six games in charge.

The long-awaited list of the former Venezuela manager contains four home-based players, including Victor Sochima (Rivers United), Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba FC), Rivers United defender, Chidiebube Duru, and Divine Nwachukwu of Bendel Insurance.

The Super Eagles previously defeated the Leon Stars in 2022, coming back from a goal down to win 2-1. They will be expected to do the same when they go to Liberia to confront John Keister’s troops at the SKD Sports Complex.

The 2013 AFCON Champions are slated to resume camp on June 11 to prepare for the encounter slated to hold on the 18th of June.

Full squad list here:

Goalkeepers: Adebayo Adeleye (Hapoel Jerusalem, Israel); Victor Sochima (Rivers United); Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba FC)

Defenders: William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Calvin Bassey (Ajax FC, The Netherlands); Kevin Akpoguma (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany); Chidiebube Duru (Rivers United); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey)

Midfielders: Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Divine Nwachukwu (Bendel Insurance); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England)

Forwards: Moses Simon (Nantes FC, France); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Ahmed Musa (Sivasspor K, Turkey)

OFFICIAL: Nigeria's 23-man squad list for AFCON qualifiers against Sierra Leone & São Tomé. pic.twitter.com/px3rvhrYGH

— Soar Super Eagles (@SSE_NGA) June 9, 2023