Who are the players representing Super Eagles at AFCON 2021?
The 33rd edition of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) hosted by Cameroon began on January 9, 2022. The AFCON 2021 was moved to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This edition will be Nigeria’s 19th appearance at the tournament they have won three times. In their last appearance in 2019, the Super Eagles were knocked out by eventual winners Algeria and secured a third-place finish.
In 2021, the Confederation of African Football announced an increment in the squad list from 23 to 28.
Nigeria had initially included strikers Victor Osimhen and Emmanuel Dennis in the list. However, the former was withdrawn due to COVID-19, while the latter was not given a pass by his club, Watford.
Here are the players representing Nigeria at the AFCON 2021 tournament.
Odion Ighalo was named but will not feature in the tournament after his club, Al Shabab.
Goalkeepers
Francis Uzoho
Francis Uzoho was born in Nwangele, Imo state, on October 28, 1998. He is a goalkeeper who plays for Omonia in Cyprus.
Uzoho started his footballing career as a forward but, at the age of 12, was moved to the position of a goalkeeper after he was deemed too slow for that role. He joined the Qatari-owned Aspire Academy at the age of 14 in 2013 in their Senegal branch, from where he impressed and joined Deportivo de La Coruña’s Juvenil squad in 2016. He signed his first contract a year later.
He made his first-team debut in 2017 at the age of 18, becoming the youngest ever foreign goalkeeper to debut in la Liga. he has since played for Elche, Anorthosis, and APOEL.
John Noble
John Noble was born on June 6, 1993, in Bori city, Rivers state. He is a goalkeeper who started his career in Nigeria before moving abroad to play for multiple clubs.
He played for Toro Sports Academy before moving to Kilsi United FC. He also played for Gurden City Panthers, Gokano United FC, Cynosure Fc and Kotoko FC in the Togo Premier League Division.
In 2018, he played for ASCK De Kara, with whom he won the Togolese Championship cup.
He then moved to Cameroonian Panthere Nde before joining Enyimba FC. He is the only NPFL player selected for AFCON 2021.
Daniel Akpeyi
Daniel Akpeyi, a professional goalkeeper, was born on August 3, 1986, in Nnewi, Anambra state. He began his career at the youth division of Gabros International before being promoted to the first team in 2005. In 2007. He moved to Nasarawa United, where he was for three years before joining Heartland FC. In 2014, he moved to Warri Wolves, where he spent a year before moving to South Africa to play for Chippa United. In 2019, he signed with Kaizer Chief.
Akpeyi was a member of the Nigeria national under-20 football team at the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship in the Netherlands and was in the squad before the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics. He was also named in the provisional squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He had his first full cap in 2015 during Nigeria’s friendly vs South Africa.
Maduka Okoye
Maduka Okoye was born to a Nigerian father and a German mother on August 28, 1999, in Dusseldorf, Germany. He played for several youth clubs in Germany before making his professional debut for Fortuna Dusseldorf II in October 2017 at the age of 18. He stayed there for three years before joining Sparta Rotterdam for a free transfer.
In the 2020/2021 season, Okoye was named Sparta player of the season after keeping ten clean sheets. Due to his impressive performance, he was signed by the English Premier League side Watford and loaned back to Sparta for a year.
Before his sack, Nigeria’s coach Gernot Rohr had hinted that Okoye would solve Nigeria’s goalkeeping problem, especially since Carl Ikeme’s forced retirement. He made his international debut as a substitute in the friendly against Brazil in October 2019.
Defenders
Chidozie Awaziem
Chidozie Awaziem was born on January 1, 1997 in Enugu. He began his career at El Kanemi Warriors. He moved to Porto in 2014, spending time with the junior team before moving to the B team.
In 2016, Awaziem had his first competitive game with the main squad before being loaned to the French side, FC Nantes. He has also played for Çaykur Rizespor, CD Leganés, and Boavista F.C. He currently plays for Alanyaspor in Turkey.
He was called up by the Super Eagles at 19 and made his senior debut in 2017 against Togo in an exhibition match.
Kenneth Omeruo
Kenneth Omeruo was born on October 17, 1993, in Abia state. He began playing for Sunshine Stars in Ondo before joining Anderlecht as a trialist. Standard Liege ultimately signed him following his impressive performance.
Chelsea signed him in 2012 and thus began a series of loan moves to six clubs. His last loan move was at Leganes in Spain, where he expressed his interest in staying. He was signed permanently in 2019, ending seven years of loan moves.
Omeruo played for Nigeria’s Under 17 and Under 20 before joining the first team in 2013 aged 19. He played in all the AFCON matches in 2013, which Nigeria won and participated in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Oluwasemilogo Ajayi
Oluwasemilogo Ajayi was born on November 9, 1993, in Crayford, England. He rose through the Charlton Athletic ranks before being offered a professional contract in 2012. He joined Dartford on a short loan in the same year before returning to his parent club.
Shortly before his debut with Charlton, Ajayi caught the eye of Arsenal and joined the London side’s Academy. In 2015, he was loaned out to Cardiff before joining permanently. He went on loan to three more clubs before being signed by Rotherham United. He currently plays for West Bromwich Albion in England, joining in 2019.
Ajayi received his first Nigerian callup in 2018 but did not play until a year later during the AFCON qualifier.
William Ekong
William Ekong was born to a Dutch mother and a Nigerian father in Haarlem, the Netherlands, on September 1, 1993. He began playing at the youth level for Fulham in 2008 and Tottenham in 2010 for three years.
He returned to the Netherlands, where he started his senior career. He played for FC Groningen and FC Dordrecht.
Following stints at Gent, Haugesund, Bursaspor and Udinese, he joined the English side, Watford, in 2020.
Ekong first played for the Dutch under 19 and 20 sides before switching to Nigeria. He made his senior international debut in 2015 and has described playing for the Super Eagles as the best decision ever.
Olaoluwa Aina
Ola Aina was born on october 8, 1996, in Southwark, England. He joined Chelsea FC as a schoolboy in 2012 and represented the club at the under 18, under 19 and 21 levels. After signing his first-team contract with the English side, he went on loan to Hull City and Torino before signing for the latter permanently. Although he returned to England on loan at Fulham, he currently plays for the Italian side.
Aina played for England under 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 sides. He decided to play for Nigeria in 2017 and has since played 17 matches for the Super Eagles.
Jamilu Collins
Born on August 5 1994, in Kaduna, Jamiu Collins began his football at Abuja Football College Academy. He was one of several footballers who moved from the Abuja academy to the HNK Rijeka youth team in Croatia in 2012. He signed his professional contract later in the year.
Collins has played for several clubs on loan, including Pomorac, Krka, Sibenik and Istra 1961. He currently plays for SC Paderborn in Germany.
He was called up to the Nigerian national team in 2018 and made his debut in a friendly against Liberia. He has so far appeared in 11 matches.
Tyrone Ebuehi
Tyrone Ebuehi was born in Haarlem, Netherland, to a Nigerian father and a Dutch mother on December 16, 1995. He played for several Dutch youth sides at the amateur level before joining ADO Den Haag in 2013.
He joined Benfica in 2018 before going on loan to Twente and Venezia, where he currently plays in Italy.
Ebuehi was first called up in 2016 by Nigeria but declined to focus on his new club. A year later, he joined the Super Eagles and debuted in their win over Togo. He has since played nine matches for the national side.
Zaidu Sanusi
Zaidu Sanusi was born on June 13, 1997, in Jega, Kebbi state and began his footballing career at Jega United. At age 19, he signed a contract with Gil Vicente F.C. in 2016 before being sent out on loan SC Mirandelain Portugal.
He spent two years at Mirandela before moving to Santa Clara in 2019. A year later, he joined the Portuguese giant, Porto.
Sanusi made his debut for Nigeria in 2020 and has played six matches for the Super Eagles.
Olisa Ndah
Olisa Ndah was born in Asaba, Delta State, on January 21, 1998. He began his footballing journey at Remo Stars in 2018. Two years later, he joined Akwa United.
He won his first trophy with the club as the club clinched the Nigerian Professional Football league title m in 2021. In the same year, he joined Orlando Pirates in South Africa.
Ndah represented Nigeria at the Under 23 Cup of Nations in 2019, where he played three matches. He has played twice for the senior side.
Midfielders
Frank Onyeka
Frank Onyeka was born on January 1, 1998, in Maiduguri, Borno state. He began playing for FC Ebedei until 2016, when he joined the Danish club, FC Midtjylland. He played there for four seasons before moving to England to play for Brentford in 2021.
Onyeka received his first national call-up in 2020 in Nigeria’s friendly against Algeria. He has so far played for games for the Super Eagles.
Joseph Ayodele-Aribo
Joseph Ayodele-Aribo was born in Camberwell, England, on July 21, 1996. He trained at Kinetic Academy in London before joining Staines Town in 2014. He spent a year there before moving to Charlton Athletic until 2019.
Aribo signed for Scottish giant, Rangers with whom he won the 2020/20201 premiership.
He made his international debut for Nigeria in 2019 and has played 11 matches.
Wilfred Ndidi
Wilfred Ndidi has been one of the standout Super Eagle players plying their trade in Europe and has been noted for his defensive-midfield solidity. Ndidi was born on December 16, 1996, in Lagos, Nigeria. He started playing for Ekosodin Stars FC in 2002 and was there for ten years before moving to Nath Boys Academy, where he stayed for three years.
In 2015, Genk signed Ndidi from Nath, and he spent two years there cementing his place in the squad. He caught the eye of Leicester City in England and was signed in 2017.
Ndidi played for Nigeria’s Under 20 side before being called up for the national side in 2015. He has so far played 43 matches for the Super Eagles.
Ndidi is studying for a degree in business and management at De Montfort University and is married.
Chidera Ejuke
Chidera Ejuke began his career at Supreme Court FC. The leftwinger was born on January 2, 1998, in Lagos, Nigeria. He moved to Gombe United in 2016, where he played for a year before being scouted by Valerenga in Norway.
He spent two seasons there, scoring 13 goals before moving to Heerenveen in the Netherlands. He spent one season there before joining CSKA Moscow in 2020.
The Multichoice ambassador played for Nigeria’s Under 17 and 20 sides before moving to the senior side in 2020. He has so far played three games.
Kelechi Nwakali
Kelechi Nwakali was one of the breakthrough stars at the FIFA under 17 World Cup in 2015. He was born on June 5, 1998, in Owerri, Imo state. He began playing for Diamond Football Academy, and following his golden ball award at the Under 17 tournament, he was signed by Arsenal in 2016. He, however, did not play a single match for the Gunners as he was sent out on loan to four clubs before settling at Huesca in 2019.
Nwakali was loaned out to Alcorcon in 2021, where he has played 18 matches and scored four goals.
He played for the Under 17 and led the team to win the World Cup in 2015. This is his first callup to the senior side.
Forwards
Ahmed Musa
Ahmed Musa has become a well-recognised Super Eagles player after having appeared in more than 100 matches for the senior side. Musa was born October 14, 1992, in Jos, Nigeria. He began his career at GBS Football Academy in 2005 until his move to JUTH FC and then Kano Pillars.
In 2010, he moved to VVV-Venlo in the Netherlands, where he spent two years. At CSKA Moscow, his goal-scoring ability became prolific as he scored 42 goals in 125 appearances.
He had stints at Leicester City in England and Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia. He currently plays at Faith Karagumruk.
Musa is one of the most-capped players for the Super Eagles as he has appeared 103 times and scored 16 goals, with the most notable ones being in the 2014 and 2018 World Cup tournaments.
Samuel Chukwueze
Samuel Chukwueze was born on May 22, 1999, in Umuahia, Abia state. An excellent dribbler, Chukwueze attended Government College Umuahia and Evangel Secondary school while playing football. He had his youth career at Future Hope, New Generation Academy and Diamond Football Academy until 2017 before joining the Villareal youth division in 2018.
He scored four goals in 20 appearances for Villareal B before moving to the senior team, where he has scored 12 goals in 95 appearances.
Chukwueze won the FIFA Under 17 World Cup in 2015 where he also won the bronze boot. He has represented the Super Eagles 19 times and scored three goals.
Henry Onyekuru
Henry Onyekuru was born on June 5, 1997, in Lagos, Nigeria. He began his youth career at Aspire Acamedy in 2010 where he was for five years before his move to Eupen in Belgium. He spent two seasons there and was joint top-scorer in the 2016/2017 season.
Onyekuru was acquired by Everton but spent two years on loan before he was sold to Monaco in France In 2019. After two more seasons on loan, he currently plays for Olympiacos in Greece.
Onyekuru was called to the national side in 2017 and has been regularly called up since then. He has played 14 matches for the Super Eagles and scored only one goal.
Moses Simon
A product of GBS Academy, Moses Simon was born in Jos, Nigeria on July 12, 1999. He was signed by Ajax youth side in 2013 but sold a year later to Trencin in Slovakia. In 2015, he joined Gent, where he spent three seasons, scoring 16 goals.
In 2018, Simon joined the Spanish side, Levante. He was loaned out to Nantes a year later; his move to the French club was eventually made permanent in 2020.
Simon received his first national call up in 2015 and has made 33 appearances so far. He has also scored five goals.
Umar Sadiq
Sadiq Umar was born in Kaduna, Nigeria on February 2, 1997. He was an essential member of the team that won the bronze medal in the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Sadiq started playing football on the streets of Kaduna before joining a local team, Kusa Boys. He played for two other academies before Spezia signed him in 2014.
He was sent out to Lavagnese on loan and then to Roma before his move to the latter was made permanent in 2016. From then, he went out on loan to six clubs. He currently plays for Almeria in Spain where he has found his shooting boot scoring 28 goals in 59 appearances.
He has played six matches for Nigeria Under 23 side but is yet to feature for the senior side.
Taiwo Awoniyi
Taiwo Awoniyi was born in Ilorin, Nigeria August 12, 1997. At the age of 13, Awoniyi participated in a football competition in London where he performed well, winning the Most Valuable Player award. He was spotted by former Nigerian footballer, Seyi Olofinjana, who invited him to join Imperial Soccer Academy.
In 2015, he was signed by English Football club, Liverpool and sent out on loan to seven clubs throughout the period. He was ultimately signed by Union Berlin in Germany where he has had a superb 2021 season scoring seven goals in nine appearances.
Awoniyi has climbed up the Nigerian youth rank from the Under 17 to the Under 23 sides. He has played only one match for the Super Eagles.
Alex Iwobi
Alex Iwobi played for England Under 16, 17 and 18 sides before switching allegiance to Nigeria. The nephew of Super Eagles legend Austin Jay-Jay Okocha who was made a “33” Export ambassador, Iwobi was born in Lagos on May 3, 1996.
He moved to London at the age of four and was signed by Arsenal in 2004 at the age of eight. It wasn’t until 2015 that he joined the senior team. He was sold to Everton in 2019 after 100 appearances for the Gunners.
Iwobi has made 48 appearances for the Super Eagles and has been a regular starter since he switched from England. He has so far scored nine goals.
Kelechi Iheanacho
Kelechi Iheanacho won the golden ball and silver shoe at the 2013 FIFA Under 17 World Cup and has become a household name in Nigerian football. Born October 3, 1996, in Owerri, Iheanacho began playing for Tayo Academy in 2011 and was there for three years before his performance at the Under 17 World Cup caught the attention of Manchester City.
The Multichoice ambassador joined the English Side in 2014 and moved to the senior side a year later. He played for three seasons before he was sold to Leicester City. In 2017.
Since he joined the Super Eagles in 2015, Iheanacho has played 38 matches and scored 11 goals. He continues to remain an important member of the Nigerian team.
Peter Olayinka
Peter Olayinka was on the verge of becoming Albania’s first foreign player before the Super Eagles team called him in 2019. Olayinka was born on November 18, 1995, in Ibadan, Nigeria. He began playing in Ibadan before moving to Lagos to play for 36 Lion FC in 2010. Two years later, he moved to Bylis in Albania. He was sent out on loan to Yemicami SK before being sold to Skenderbeu in 2014.
Olayinka moved to Gent in 2016 before going on loan twice. Slavia Prague eventually bought him in 2018, where he has scored 20 goals.
He was called by the national team in 2019 and has played just one match.
All matches can be followed live on DStv and streamed on Showmax.
