AFCON 2023: Absent players, space fillers – Super Eagles provisional squad breakdown
Days after Super Eagles head coach Jose Peceiro submitted his provisional squad to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the list was officially confirmed this week.
There are 41 names on the list, which will eventually be reduced to 27.
In a departure from the norm, CAF has increased the final team size from 23 to 27 for the 2023 AFCON.
Adding four more players to the final list is only an option, not a requirement.
However, only 23 players will be eligible to be selected for each match during the tournament.
Peseiro plans to submit the final member submission to CAF by the January 3 deadline.
Only three home-based players made it to the provisional list: Ojo Oluwasegun (Enyimba FC), Christian Nwoke (Sporting Lagos FC) and Obasogie Amath (Bendel Insurance).
This, of course, revived the familiar conversation about including talent from the national scene on the Eagles' squad for the tournament.
“Ultimately it's up to the coach,” Pulse Sports senior editor Solace Chukwu told DAILY POST.
“He has shown nothing during his tenure that he believes in the level of competition in the local league, so his exclusion here is not surprising.
“He chose the team he felt was best suited to achieve his goals. That is his prerogative.”
Chukwu also expects local players who were included on the provisional list, as well as players who ply their trade in foreign leagues, to be let go.
“Obviously we have a few guys to fill out the roster.
“It is clear that three goalkeepers in the NPFL, Nwoke, Ojo and Obasogie, will be left out, as well as Fisayo Dele-Bashir, Cyriel Dessers, Jamil Collins, Cyriel Dessers and Paul Onuachu. It will be removed,” he added.
The list Peceiro sent to CAF includes names that everyone clearly expected to be included.
But were there any shocking exclusions/inclusions?
Mr. Solace further added:
“Most of the players who have played a role under Jose Peceiro so far have qualified and everyone who is expected to be there is on the list, with the exception of Gift Orbán.
“The one that stands out is of course Emmanuel Dennis, who has barely played since his penalty in last year's friendly against Portugal.''
Source: dailypost.ng