Coach José Peseiro has invited Victor Sochima and Olorunleke Ojo for next weekend’s AFCON 2023 Qualifier against the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone in Monrovia.
Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho, is out after picking a second yellow against Guinea Bissau.
Sochima and Ojo play in the Nigerian Professional League for Rivers United and Enyimba, respectively.
This is a second call-up for Enyimba’s Olorunleke Ojo and Sochima of Rivers United.
Adebayo Adeleye of Hapoel Jerusalem in Israel fills up the third spot to replace Uzoho.
Elsewhere, In-form forward and Italian Serie A highest goal scorer, Victor James Osimhen, tops the strikers’ list.
Also, Rivers United defender Ebube Duru and Bendel Insurance FC midfielder Divine Nwachukwu made the roster.
Defenders William Ekong, Kenneth Omeruo, Zaidu Sanusi, Calvin Bassey, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, and Bright Osayi-Samuel are in.
Midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka and forwards Samuel Chukwueze, Taiwo Awoniyi, and Kelechi Iheanacho are also in the 23-man roster.
HOW THINGS STAND IN THE 2023 AFCON QUALIFYING GROUP
Meanwhile, the Super Eagles are top of their qualification group with nine points out of four matches.
They are followed by Guinea Bissau’s Wild Dogs, who have seven points. Leone Stars are on five points. Sao Tome and Principe, who play Nigeria on the final day of the series in September, are bottom with one point.
Nigeria and Sierra Leone clash at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium in Monrovia on Sunday, 18 June.
This is due to the fact that Sierra Leone does not have an approved stadium for international matches.
AFCON 2023 Qualifier: ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS:
Goalkeepers: Adebayo Adeleye (Hapoel Jerusalem, Israel); Victor Sochima (Rivers United); Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba FC)
Defenders: William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Calvin Bassey (Ajax FC, The Netherlands); Kevin Akpoguma (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany); Chidiebube Duru (Rivers United); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey).
Midfielders: Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Divine Nwachukwu (Bendel Insurance); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England)
Forwards: Moses Simon (Nantes FC, France); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Ahmed Musa (Sivasspor K, Turkey).