Izuchukwu OkosiThe Nigeria Football Federation have handed head coach of the Super Eagles Jose Peseiro a contract extension and also released a strong squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sao Tome and Principe in Uyo on Sunday, September 10.
Peseiro’s contract with the NFF had expired with the Portuguese offered a new contract with the condition of a pay cut which he accepted.
Peseiro has been mandated to lead the Eagles to the semifinals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire which will be held between January and February 2024.
The NFF also released the squad list for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier with the duo of Gift Orban and Victor Boniface set to make their Super Eagles debuts as they are part of the 23-man squad.
Nigeria has already qualified for the tournament in Ivory Coast with 12 points after five games.
Still, if they slip up against Sao Tome, they could be toppled at the summit by Guinea Bissau, who take on Sierra Leone in their final fixture.
Because of this, there is a possibility that coach Jose Peseiro, who just renewed his contract with the NFF, could experiment in the game.
Meanwhile, regulars Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, Ola Aina, William Troost-Ekong, and Wilfred Ndidi have kept their places. However, Ahmed Musa was excluded.
Also missing from the team albeit through injury, is new Fulham £22m new signing, Alex Iwobi who has signed for the Cottagers from Everton.
Full list of players invites for Sao Tome and Principe game
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus); Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba FC); Adebayo Adeleye (Hapoel Jerusalem, Israel)
Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Tyronne Ebuehi (Empoli FC, Italy); Jordan Torunarigha (KAA Gent, Belgium); William Ekong (PAOK FC, Greece); Semi Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Jamilu Collins (Cardiff FC, Wales); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal)
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Joe Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England)
Forwards: Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England); Gift Orban (KAA Gent, Belgium); Victor Boniface (Bayern Leverkusen, Germany).
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
In October 2004, Okosi joined Complete Communications Limited, publishers of Complete Sports newspaper and Complete Football magazine as a reporter and later script writer for the Complete Sports studio.
He worked there for 13 years until October 2017.
Okosi also worked various times as Correspondent, Content creator and Editor at Sports Market International Magazine, Opera News, All Nigeria Soccer Media and Iconic Media Watch.
He also undertook freelance writing gigs for some local and international organizations.
Okosi is a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Association of Voiceover Artistes of Nigeria (AVOA), Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
He has been part of cast in some Nollywood movies and radio dramas including Blood Money 2, Scores To Settle, Dead End 2, Another Campus Tale and Battle Line.
Aside mainstream media and the entertainment industry, he has interests in scouting/unearthing of talents in the sports and creative sectors, exports business and property development.
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