KELECHI Iheanacho and Paul Onuachu arrived in the Super Eagles of Nigeria camp in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire today for the AFCON 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
The were late for different reasons.
Leicester City forward Iheanacho was originally named in the final squad of 25 but has been battling to shake off an injury, therefore he stayed back to work on his fitness.
On Onuachu’s part, the towering Trabzonspor striker was called up late as a replacement for Umar Sadiq who got injured during the training camp in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates last week.
The Super Eagles media team confirmed today that Iheanacho and Onuachu arrived in Abidjan around 4am this morning, making more players available to head coach Jose Peseiro to 25.
The two forwards are not expected to feature in the Super Eagles’ opening match against Equatorial Guinea today in Abidjan as it is too close to their arrival.
Despite the absence of three forwards who would have made the squad but for injuries — Taiwo Awoniyi, Victor Boniface and Sadiq — the Super Eagles still have a decent forward line in Cote d’Ivoire.
Expected to lead the attack today is Napoli striker and African Player of the Year Osimhen, with support coming from the likes of Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman, AC Milan’s Samuel Chukwueze and Nantes’ Moses Simon.
The Group A clash between Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea kicks off at 3pm Nigerian time today.
