NEW call-ups Taiwo Awoniyi and Calvin Bassey have joined the Super Eagles squad for the Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Central African Republic.
Union Berlin striker Awoniyi and Glasgow Rangers defender Bassey both received their first invitations to the senior national team for Nigeria’s double-header against Central African Republic in Lagos on Thursday and Douala, Cameroon on Sunday (Central African Republic are playing their ‘home’ games in Cameroon because of lack of standard facilities in their own country).
The two players were among the 16 that arrived at the Super Eagles’ Lagos camp on Monday.
Also in the camp as at Monday night were Chidera Ejuke, Paul Onuachu, Samuel Kalu and Daniel Akpeyi.
Chidozie Awaziem, Kevin Akpoguma, Jamilu Collins, Innocent Bonke and William Troost-Ekong are also in camp.
The other players already at the Eko Hotel camp are captain Ahmed Musa, Frank Onyeka, Ola Aina, Leon Balogun and Joe Aribo.
The squad is expected to become full on Tuesday with the scheduled arrivals of goalkeepers Maduka Okoye and Francis Uzoho, strikers Kelechi Iheanacho and Victor Osimhen as well as Moses Simon, Shehu Abdullahi and Kenneth Omeruo.
The Super Eagles lead their qualifying group with six points from the wins over Liberia in Lagos and Cape Verde in Mindelo in September.
They will be almost through to the play-offs if they can add six more points from this week’s fixtures against Central African Republic.
The 10 group winners will qualify for the play-offs where Africa’s five representatives for Qatar 2022 will emerge.
