Jose Peseiro, the head coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles, just released his final 25-man roster for the Ivory Coast 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
On social media, Nigerians have questioned Ahmed Musa’s inclusion in Peseiro’s roster as well as the exclusion of six players: Kelechi Nwakali, Olisa Ndah, Terem Moffi, Gift Orban, Nathan Tella, and Cyriel Dessers.
Others criticized the midfield, which had players like Frank Onyeka, Joe Aribo, Wilfred Ndidi, and Alex Iwobi, for lacking inventiveness.
Peseiro announced the 25 players that will compete for the Super Eagles in the biennial tournament last Friday.
Valentine Nwabili, the keeper for Chippa United, is the lone new player in the Super Eagles lineup.
The group included Captain Musa and William Troost-Ekong, his deputy.
On January 1, the Super Eagles will start getting ready for the competition in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The hosts, Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau are in Group A with Peseiro’s men.
On January 14, they will take on Equatorial Guinea in the first game of their quest for a fourth AFCON championship.
Reactions gathered on X
@dunmadesammy, “Just 5 midfielders and we’re pulling up with Moses Simon and Ahmed Musa in 2024? @Nike don’t give them that jersey.”
@jabarzee, “Ahmed Musa is still making the cut in 2024. It won’t be well with NFF lol. And you are not achieving anything with that midfield.”
@Tawo_sam, “So shameful! Everything about this country is ruined by politics. Ahmed Musa and Sadiq Umar over Moffi is such a terrible decision, It’s bewildering.”
@_mykhaxl, “Look at that midfield and then Ahmed Musa.”
@chuccofficial, “Musa on this list is embarrassing to say the least. Leke Ojo is another embarrassment. The whole list is predictable anyways. Thin as usual.”
@Henrix_Lfc, “Gift Orban: 20 apps – 11 Goals. Ahmed Musa: 24 apps – 0 goals.”
@CxllumRFC, “Cyriel Dessers doesn’t make the Nigeria squad.”
@MartinOkonkwo, “What happened to Terren Moffi?”
@Skaeiyrecszxx, “Why do we always do this rubbish? Just 5 midfielders and 8 forwards. When there is no creativity in the game the coach will sub in 2 attackers to replace two midfielders. I am already tired in advance.
@lasb_ph, “Again, just 5 midfielders. We are not making it out of the group stage. Left Nwakali for Aribo, okay.”
@Nhlanhl74272991, “You will return after 2 games shem because why did you leave Ndah out.”
@iam_krypticmoh, “Ahmed Musa has played a total 237 minutes (4 games) of football since August 2023. Terem Moffi, Akor Adams, Gift Orban, Nathan Tella etc all left out. Nigerian football Politics.”
@Fabionelli2, “Say walahi we’re heading to AFCON with Uzoho as our main GK.”
@_My_Opinion___, “Musa that hasn’t played active football in years?? Lewl! Anyways #LetsDoItAgain.”
@DerChefTheo, “Just 5 midfielders omooooo…be like na no bouncing we dey go play for #AFCON2024.”