Nigeria squad for November international break; Victor Osimhen returns

The Super Eagles will face Benin and Rwanda in AFCON qualifying matches.

Despite missing the previous month’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match against Libya, Victor Osimhen, an attacker for Galatasaray, has returned to the Nigerian squad.

In the final two rounds of qualifying games for the 2025 tournament, the Nigeria striker, who is now totally healed from the injury that prevented him from playing in the previous round of matches, is included in the 23-man team to play Benin and Rwanda.

Before returning home to Uyo for the last qualifying match against Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Arena on November 18, the Super Eagles will entertain the Cheetahs of Benin Republic at the Stade Felix-Houphouet-Boigny on November 14.

Ademola Lookman, a Ballon d’Or nominee and the front-runner to win the CAF men’s African Player of the Year title is also in the squad.

The absence of defender Semi Ajayi, who has been sidelined for four months due to what is believed to be a high-grade muscle tear that required surgery, could dampen the excitement surrounding Osimhen’s comeback, according to West Bromwich Albion manager Carlos Corberan.

However, there is a bright side to that gloomy cloud: Auxerre defender Gabriel Osho took his position. The former Luton Town defender, who was born in Reading, was called up by Nigeria for the first time in March but was injured and missed the matches. He definitely will take the second chance as a blessing.

Nigeria squad for November matches

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Fasil Kenema SC, Ethiopia)

Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Gabriel Osho (AJ Auxerre, France); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Victor Collins (Nasarawa United)

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio FC. Italy); Frank Onyeka (Augsburg FC, Germany); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)

Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla FC, Spain); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain)

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