VICTOR Osimhen, Taiwo Awoniyi, Gabriel Osho and Tyrone Ebuehi have been ruled out of the Super Eagles of Nigeria friendlies in Marrakech, Morocco against Ghana and Mali.
Napoli striker Osimhen, Nottingham Forest centre forward Awoniyi, and Luton Town centre-back Osho, who was on course for his Super Eagles debut, as well as Empoli full-back Ebuehi are all unavailable due to injuries.
The Super Eagles, who finished as runners-up at the AFCON 2023 Africa Cup of Nations to hosts Cote d’Ivoire last month, face the Black Stars of Ghana on Friday and Mali’s Eagles next Tuesday, both in Marrakech.
As at the time of this report on Wednesday afternoon, there are 22 players in the Super Eagles Adam Park Hotel camp in Marrakech, with Fenerbahce full-back Bright Osayi-Samuel the only player still being expected.
Goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Olorunleke Ojo, defenders Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Jamilu Collins, Bruno Onyemaechi and Benjamin Tanimo were some of the early arrivals.
Midfielders Alex Iwobi, Raphael Onyedika and Alhassan Yusuf, as well as forwards Moses Simon, Nathan Tella, Cyriel Dessers, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Sadiq Umar and Ademola Lookman also landed in Morocco yesterday.
Goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, defender Chidozie Awaziem, midfielders Frank Onyeka and Wilfred Ndidi, and forward Kelechi Iheanacho have also arrived in Marrakech for the friendlies.
The squad is billed to train in Marrakech this evening from 4.30pm.
Former international Finidi George will take charge of the Super Eagles for the two friendly matches following the exit of Jose Peseiro, who steered the team to the final at AFCON 2023.
Finidi, who starred for the Super Eagles in the 1990s and early 2000s and played important roles for Ajax and Real Betis, is currently the head coach of Enyimba, the club he led to the Nigeria Premier Football League title last season.
The 52-year-old Finidi, who won the AFCON title with the Super Eagles in 1994 and was in Nigeria’s first-ever squad to the World Cup in 1994, was part of Peseiro’s coaching crew to Cote d’Ivoire in January and February.
SUPER EAGLES PLAYERS IN MARRAKECH CAMP
Kenneth Omeruo
Dessers Cyriel
Nathan Tella
Simon Moses
Nwabali Stanley
Fisayo Bashiru
Basey Calvin
Iwobi Alex
Semi Ajayi
Jamilu Collins
Bruno Onyemaechi
Olorunleke Ojo
Raphael Onyedika
Benjamin Tanimu
Alhassan Yusuf
Sadiq Umar
Ademola Lookman
Wilfred Ndidi
Kelechi Iheanacho
Francis Uzoho
Chidozie Awaziem
Frank Onyeka
