Eight things to note on Super Eagles 23-man squad for Afconq against Libya's Mediterranean Knights

The Nigeria Football Federation have announced a 23-man roster ahead of the Super Eagles' Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers double-header against Libya's Mediterranean Knights.

Allnigeriasoccer.com's editorial staff brings you eight things to note on the roster : 

1) The roster holds an average age of 25 years and 351 days as at Saturday, October 5. William Troost-Ekong is the oldest player at 31 years and 34 days and the youngest is Benjamin Tanimu at 22 years and 73 days.

2) Of the twenty-three players named in the squad, West Brom central defender Semi Ajayi has logged the most minutes in the league, playing 803 minutes over nine matches, while Benjamin Tanimu has yet to debut for his new club Crawley Town.

3) With fifteen goals in 55 matches, Sevilla striker Kelechi Iheanacho has scored the most goals, followed by Alex Iwobi with ten goals in 81 games.

4) With the exception of Bright Osayi-Samuel and Chidera Ejuke, manager Augustine Eguavoen has picked the same players called up for the internationals in September 2024.

5) The roster features six players who were born abroad, approximately a quarter of the team.  The dual nationals are Maduka Okoye (Germany), Semi Ajayi (England), Ademola Lookman (England), Ola Aina (England), Calvin Bassey (Italy), William Troost-Ekong (Netherlands). 

6) The twenty three players are on the books of clubs in twelve different countries: England (7), Italy (4), Germany (2), Spain (2), Ethiopia (1), South Africa (1), France (1), Saudi Arabia (1), Turkey (1), Portugal (1), United States (1), Belgium (1).

7) Sevilla forward Ejuke has been summoned to the national team for the first time since September 2022.

8) Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Ola Aina, Troost-Ekong, Semi Ajayi and Kelechi Iheanacho are survivors of the team that defeated Libya 3-2 in the last match between the teams back in October 2018.

Super Eagles 23-man squad for Afconq against Libya

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Fasil Kenema SC, Ethiopia)

Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Benjamin Tanimu (Crawley Town, England)

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio FC. Italy); Frank Onyeka (Augsburg FC, Germany); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)

Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla FC, Spain); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England)  

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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