07/01/2024
AFCON 2023: Osimhen gets 9, Uzoho is number 1 as Super Eagles stars pick squad numbers
The three-time African champions will get their AFCON campaign underway in Cote dโIvoire next week with a clash against Equatorial Guinea
The Confederation of African Football, CAF, has unveiled the squad numbers assigned to the Super Eagles ahead of the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Soccernet. ng reports.
Each of the 25 selected players has been allocated a jersey number ranging from 1 to 25.
Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has been designated the esteemed number 9, solidifying his position as the primary center-forward for the team.
Omonia Nicosia goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, despite previous uncertainties regarding his status as the first-choice goalkeeper, has been granted the number 1 jersey.
Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa retains the number 7 jersey he has worn for many years, even with his first-team chances limited.
Key players such as Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Joe Aribo, Alex Iwobi, and William Troost-Ekong will retain their familiar team numbers of 11, 15, 10, 17, and 5, respectively.
Newly invited players Olorunleke Ojo, Stanley Nwabili, and Alhassan Yusuf will assume jersey numbers 16, 23, and 4, respectively.
Victor Boniface, typically assigned number 22 at Bayer Leverkusen, has opted for 24 during the AFCON.
Kelechi Iheanacho, who is recovering from a minor injury and has not joined the training camp in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, is confirmed to participate in the AFCON with the allocated number 14.
Nigeria will play a friendly match with Guinea on Monday, January 8, as the Super Eagles finetune their strategy for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, which begins on January 13.