News
AFCON 2022: CAF Unveils Super Eagle’s New Squad
By Derrick E. Bangura
The Confederation of African Football has recently unveiled the Super Eagles of Nigeria’s new squad numbers for the incoming AFCON 2022 tournament, scheduled to commence in Cameroon from January 9 to February 6 2022, after twice being postponed due to Covid-19, and with significant doubt about whether it would take place at all.
The 33rd Africa Cup of Nations AFCON, will begin with over 52 matches to be watched and it’s no doubt that some of the best Premier League players will be on show, the tournament is enjoying a higher profile than ever before.
According to the disclosure, in the goalkeeping department, Maduka Okoye will wear the number one jersey, while Francis Uzoho will put on the 23, Daniel Akpeyi gets the number 16 jersey, while John Noble will wear 27.
Others are Semi Ajayi – 6, Frank Onyeka – 8, Kelechi Nwakali – 25, Joe Aribo – 10, Odion Ighalo – 9, Chidera Ejuke – 13, Taiwo Awoniyi – 19, Umar Sadiq – 24.
Nigeria who is drawn in Group D alongside Egypt, Sudan, and Guinea Bissau will kick off their AFCON 2021 campaign against 7-time winners, Egypt on Tuesday, January 11.
Meanwhile, Nigerian professional footballer and Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa, has been bereaved.
Reports confirmed that the 29-year-old player missed the Super Eagles’ last training session after receiving the sad news.
He has since been granted permission by the National Team management to leave the team’s camp to be with family members.
Musa is, however, expected to join his teammates in Cameroon ahead of Nigeria’s first game of the competition against Egypt on January 11.
Cameroon is the hosts Country and will hold ambitions of participating deep into the tournament, but six nations come into the tournament placed higher in FIFA’s world rankings. Top of the list Senegal, who are the marginal favourites ahead of Egypt, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Nigeria and the hosts.
After twice failing to qualify, Nigeria reached the semifinals in 2019. The squad aims to go at least one better in this tournament.
Nigeria is in the same group with Egypt, Sudan, Guinea Bissau, led by the former Nigerian Captain Augustine Eguavoen, who also coached the Super Eagles to a third-place finish in Egypt 15 years ago.
He also made a selection for this years’ AFCON 2022, with four Goalkeepers, nine Defenders, five Midfielders and 10 Forwards, which brings about the 28-man list for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus); John Noble (Enyimba FC); Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands)
Defenders: Chidozie Awaziem (Alanyaspor FC, Turkey); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Jamilu Collins (SC Paderborn 07, Germany); Abdullahi Shehu (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Olisa Ndah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa)
Midfielders: Frank Onyeka( Brentford FC, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Chidera Ejike (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Kelechi Nwakali (SD Huesca, Spain)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Fatih Karagumruk, Turkey); Samuel Chukwueze (Villareal FC, Spain); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Sadiq Umar (UD Almeria, Spain); Taiwo Awoniyi (Union Berlin, Germany); Odion Jude Ighalo (Al-Shabab Riyadh, Saudi Arabia); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England ); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Emmanuel Dennis (Watford FC, England)
This year AFCON tournament has converged its Covid-19 rules ahead to ensure the safety of the fans. AFCON, states that fans must be fully vaccinated and must present a negative Covid-19 test dating back less than 72 hours to gain access to the stadiums during the tournament.
The Minister for Health in Cameroon, Dr Manaouda Malachie also announced that vaccines and tests will be freely made available, he further announced the installation of a vaccination unit for each site in the competition.
We are hopeful that the Super Eagles will break a leg as they make us proud as the Giant of Africa.
President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday arrived in Katsina to receive the remains of the former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away in London on Sunday at the age of 82.
Just hours before the burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari, heartfelt tributes have continued to pour in from beneficiaries of his many charitable deeds, with many describing him as a man who never turned his back on the needy.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, Aminu Daura, a respected community elder, recalled how Buhari consistently provided foodstuffs during Ramadan for families, friends, widows, and orphans in his hometown.
“He never made noise about it, but many homes had food on their tables during fasting period because of him,” Daura said.
Abdullahi Sani, a physically-challenged man who received a tricycle from the Buhari Foundation in 2021, was overcome with emotion while speaking to NAN.
“I can move around and feed my family today because of Baba Buhari. I pray to Allah to reward him for giving hope to people like me,” he said, in tears.
Hajiya Fatima Yahaya, another resident, remembered Buhari’s acts of kindness during festive seasons.
“Even after he left office, his aides ensured that the usual support still reached us every year. He always remember his people,” she said, referring to his distribution of Sallah rams and food items to indigent families during Eid celebrations.
Other residents of Daura also shared memories of how the late former president quietly paid school fees and medical bills for struggling families, actions rarely publicized.
“Some of us benefited from his silent interventions. He was a true father and a great figure in the society,” said Ali Saidu.
On Monday night, Imams across various mosques in Daura held special Qur’anic recitations, praying for the forgiveness of Buhari’s sins and his eternal peace.
The Chief Imam of Daura Central Mosque, Sheikh Musa Kofar Barau, described Buhari as a humble leader whose legacy of service and compassion would remain alive in the hearts of the people.
Buhari is scheduled to be buried later on Tuesday in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, in line with Islamic rites. The community is bracing to welcome thousands of mourners from across Nigeria and beyond.
His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco has extended heartfelt condolences to President Bola Tinubu, the family of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, and the entire Nigerian people following Buhari’s death.
In a message of sympathy, the Moroccan monarch described the passing of the former Nigerian leader as a “sad occurrence,” expressing deep sorrow over the loss.
King Mohammed VI hailed Buhari as “an illustrious leader who worked untiringly to serve his country’s best interests and lead his people toward further progress and prosperity.”
He added: “Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the bereaved. I share your grief and want you to know how much I appreciated the working sessions I had with the deceased.”
Reflecting on their bilateral engagements, the king noted that his collaboration with Buhari led to the launch of promising development projects, “ushering a new era grounded in friendship and close cooperation between our two sister nations.”
Tinubu arrives Katsina to receive Buhari’s body for burial
“He Never Turned His Back on the Needy” — Tributes Pour In Ahead of Buhari’s Burial
King Mohammed VI Mourns Buhari, Praises Legacy of Nigeria’s Former Leader
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