Afcon 2023: Osimhen the only Eagle yet to land as 19 players arrive in UAE

Napoli of Italy superstar Victor Osimhen is still being expected in the Super Eagles training camp in Abu Dhabi, UAE as of Wednesday evening.

In camp are AC Milan winger, Samuel Chukwueze, and Chippa United’s goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali have arrived at the Super Eagles camp in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations.

The arrival of the duo has seen the number of players in camp rise to 19.

The Eagles are in Abu Dhabi for a one-week training camp that is until next Tuesday. They are expected to arrive in Lagos the same day, before heading to Abidjan on Wednesday, January 10.

According to the team’s media officer, Babafemi Raji, the team began their preparations for the AFCON tournament billed to be held from January 13 to February 11 on Wednesday evening.

“Training will commence this evening (Wednesday). Please note that we are currently in a closed camp and information will be limited till January 6. Bear with us as we intensify preparations in our bid to have a continent-conquering AFCON campaign,” Raji wrote.

Still expected in camp are William Troost-Ekong, Victor Osimhen, Francis Uzoho, Umar Sadiq, Kelechi Iheanacho, and Alhassan Yusuf.

Early arrival are goalkeepers Olorunleke Ojo and Stanley Nwabali, defenders Kenneth Omeruo, Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Zaidu Sanusi, Bruno Onyemachi, Chidozie Awaziem, Ola Aina and Bright Osayi-Samuel.

The midfielders already in Abu Dhabi are Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Raphael Onyedika, and Joe Aribo, while the forwards in camp as at the time of filing in this report are Ahmed Musa, Moses Simon, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukuwze, and Victor Boniface.

The Eagles are expected to play two pre-tournament friendlies against Burkina Faso and Cape Verde ahead of the 2023 Afcon.

Nigeria, who won the Afcon in 1980, 1994, and 2013, are hoping to win a fourth title in Ivory Coast and are in Group A alongside the hosts, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea Bissau.

Their first game will be against Equatorial Guinea on January 14 at the Ebimpe Olympic Stadium, before facing hosts Cote d'Ivoire on January 18, while their last group game will be against Guinea Bissau on January 22.