Barring a last minute change of mind from head coach Eric Chelle Francis Uzoho is prime to start in goal for Nigeria in today’s pre AFCON friendly game against Egypt, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Chelle will not risk first choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali for the game as he is still not fully fit. Amass Obasogie is also expected to get a run out in the game per what we exclusively gathered.

There will also be a first time appearance for the trio of Tochukwu Nnadi, Ryan Alebiosu and Ebenezer Akinsamiro. Lanky striker Paul Onuachu is expected to lead the line with Cyriel Dessers getting a run out in the second half.

In defence, first choice pair of Semi Ajayi and Calvin Bassey will get a run out likewise Igoh Ogbu, but Chidozie Awaziem who took part in this morning session is not expected to be in the mix.

We also gathered that Ademola Lookman will play from the start in attack alongside Chidera Ejuke flanking the main man Onuachu.

In defence it will be Bright Osayi-Samuel at right back and Zaidu Sanusi on the opposite flank. The middle will see Ebenezer Akinsamiro play from the start in tandem with Raphael Onyedika.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

It’s almost a full house for the Super Eagles of Nigeria as they step up preparation for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

As many as 24 players from the 28 picked by head coach Eric Chelle for the tournament have already arrived in the camp of the team in Egypt, ahead of today’s test game against Egypt.

Four players in first choice striker Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon and Usman Mohammed will fly to Morocco, rather than link up with the team at their camp in Egypt.

All 24 players will have a light session this morning in preparation for the game later in the evening. Chelle is expected to give a run out to a host of new players in the game, where both teams are free to make more than the five substitutes permitted by FIFA.

LIST OF 25 PLAYERS IN SUPER EAGLES CAMP .

Francis Uzoho

Stanley Nwabali

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru

Akinsanmiro Ebenezer

Amas Obasogie

Semi Ajayi

Ademola Lookman

Bright Osayi-Samuel

Igho Ogbu

Tochukwu Nnadi

Zaidu Sanusi

Paul Onuachu

Frank Onyeka

Calvin Bassey

Alex Iwobi

Wilfred Ndidi

Bruno Onyemaechi

Cyril Dessers

Akor Adams

Chidera Ejuke

Raphael Onyedika

Ryan Alebiosu

Salim Fago

Chidozie Awaziem

The senior national team of Nigeria will prosecute tomorrow’s pre AFCON friendly game against Egypt with 15 players as 13 of the other invited players missed their only training session ahead of the game, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

As at the time of this report Chelle has just 15 players available for today’s session and will pick his team for the game with only the players who are available for the session.

Like we exclusively reported some senior players of the team led by top striker Victor Osimhen decided to fly directly to Morocco rather than Egypt, where the game will be played in a bid to reduce the risk of getting injured.

They will be joined by the rest of the team on Thursday for further preparation ahead of their opening game against Tanzania on the 21st of December.

Below is the list of players in the camp of the team ahead of tomorrow’s game as at the time of this report, which is 30 minutes before they head out to train.

Players In Camp:

Francis Uzoho

Stanley Nwabali

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru

Akinsanmiro Ebenezer

Amas Obasogie

Semi Ajayi

Ademola Lookman

Bright Osayi-Samuel

Igho Ogbu

Tochukwu Nnadi

Zaidu Sanusi

Paul Onuachu

Frank Onyeka

Calvin Bassey

Alex Iwobi

Ryan Alebiosu says he can’t wait to get his international career up and running with the senior national team of Nigeria after making the Super Eagles squad for the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Alebiosu has been a revelation for Blackburn Rovers this season playing in all of their games in the league since his summer transfer to the club from Belgium side Kortrijk.

His performances caught the attention of the coach of the Nigerian team Eric Chelle, who extended an invitation to him to be a part of his team for the tournament which begins on the 21st of December.

Born in England to parents of Nigerian descent, the 23 year old could easily have decided against committing to Nigeria and wait for his time with England, but he said he couldn’t say no to playing for Nigeria.

“It’s a pleasure. Very much delighted, can’t wait to get started and help my nation reach big things,” he added.

“My family are delighted. As soon as I got the news, I’ve never seen them so happy. Great feeling.

“Nigeria came calling and it’s something I didn’t want to miss. It’s a big opportunity, especially at 23 years of age.”

“Nigeria came calling and it’s something I didn’t want to miss. It’s a big opportunity, especially at 23 years of age.”

Bayer Leverkusen winger Nathan Tella is unhappy with the decision of the head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle to leave him out of the team for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Tella who is back to full fitness after an injury setback played for half an hour over the weekend as his team run out 2-0 winners against Cologne in the German Bundesliga.

It was his seventh game of the season in Germany with the club where he won the league and cup double in his first season at the club, two years ago but he hasn’t found favour with the senior national team of Nigeria.

Born in England to parents of Nigerian descent, the 26 year old has so far made just two appearances for the Nigerian team despite his fine form at club levels. That sequence continued after he was left out of the team for the upcoming AFCON.

He made the initial preliminary list of players for the tournament but was left out of the final 28 man list for the tournament proper. “This is beneficial for Leverkusen, of course. But Nathan had hopes, real hopes,”Kasper Hjulmand the coach of Bayer Leverkusen revealed.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

The quartet of Maduka Okoye, Uche Chrisantus, Tolu Arokodare and Rafiu Durosinmi where shock omissions from the senior national team of Nigeria for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Morocco, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Okoye who was left out based on an agreement reached between the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Udinese, following the refusal of head coach Eric Chelle to guarantee him a starting spot at the tournament.

He kept his spot in goal for the team yesterday against the league champions Napoli and kept a clean sheet as they run out 1-0 winners in the Serie A yesterday. A perfect reaction to Chelle not giving him an assurance that he will be first choice.

Uche Chrisantus of Crystal Palace was another one who reacted to getting snubbed almost immediately with his first goal for the team in the Europa Conference League as they run out 3-0 winners over Irish side Shelbourne.

Yesterday he played the final 14 minutes of their 0-3 defeat to Manchester City. His fourth straight game after struggling to play in six consecutive games.

Tolu Arokodare dropped from attack almost earned his team Wolverhampton Wanderers a point against Arsenal with a header to tie them 1-1, but Arsenal struck with virtually the last kick of the game to win 2-1.

Rafiu Durosinmi notched his 7th league goal of the season in Czech Republic for Viktoria Plzen in their 2-0 win over Dukla. In all competitions he now has 13 goals in 30 games this season.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

On loan Inter Milan midfielder Ebenezer Akinsamiro is seen by head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle as his joker heading into the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

Akinsamiro who is on loan to fellow Serie A side Pisa is in line for his senior international bow at the tournament after making the list of 28 players for the tournament made public by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) last week.

Chelle holds the 21 year old in high esteem and feels he has the required ability to play his brand of football, which involves pressing high up the pitch with or without the ball.

Sources say his emergence could threaten the spot of Alex Iwobi in the middle, with Chelle unimpressed with the way Iwobi performed at the world cup qualifiers playoff and also his lack of pace when the team needs to defend.

His ability to move from one box to another is also another factor that has wowed Chelle after watching him in action in the Serie A, where he has made 21 appearances.

According to several reports in Italy, Inter Milan have also been heavily impressed with the former Remo Stars prospect that they are now willing to pay the penalty clause of €1m, which will erase the option of Pisa signing him permanently.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

On loan Inter Milan midfielder Ebenezer Akinsamiro is seen by head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle as his joker heading into the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

Akinsamiro who is on loan to fellow Serie A side Pisa is in line for his senior international bow at the tournament after making the list of 28 players for the tournament made public by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) last week.

Chelle holds the 21 year old in high esteem and feels he has the required ability to play his brand of football, which involves pressing high up the pitch with or without the ball.

Sources say his emergence could threaten the spot of Alex Iwobi in the middle, with Chelle unimpressed with the way Iwobi performed at the world cup qualifiers playoff and also his lack of pace when the team needs to defend.

His ability to move from one box to another is also another factor that has wowed Chelle after watching him in action in the Serie A, where he has made 21 appearances.

According to several reports in Italy, Inter Milan have also been heavily impressed with the former Remo Stars prospect that they are now willing to pay the penalty clause of €1m, which will erase the option of Pisa signing him permanently.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

FC Porto are unhappy with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) after their request for Zaidu Sanusi to delay his arrival to the Nigeria national team camp for the Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Morocco was rejected.

Porto reached out to the NFF for an extension, but were flatly told that Zaidu must report to the camp of the Nigerian team in Egypt after their weekend game, and not allowed to play any other game for them.

Zaidu is already in the Super Eagles camp and he is expected to play some role in tomorrow’s friendly game against Egypt, which is their only test in the build up to the tournament which begins on the 21st of December.

Nigeria will play their first game against Tanzania on the 23rd of December in the tournament, where they are expected to go one step better than last time out where they lost in the final to the host Cote d’Ivoire 1-2.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle will hand debut to four new players when the senior national team of Nigeria take on Egypt in a pre Africa Cup of Nations friendly game in Cairo, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

The bulk of the senior players of the Nigerian team will skip the game leaving head coach Eric Chelle with no choice, but to rely on the players available to him which is mostly players who are in the team for the first time.

Chelle granted the senior players the permission to skip the game after they requested to be left out to avoid the risk of getting injured in the game, which will be played five days before the start of the tournament and eight days before Nigeria’s first game against Tanzania.

Per what we exclusively gathered Ebenezer Akinsamiro, Tochukwu Nnadi, Amas Obasogie and Usman Mohammed will play in the game, which will be played as an unofficial game with both teams allowed to make more than the five substitutes for a game to be recognised by FIFA.

Ryan Alebiosu will also be in line for his debut for the Super Eagles just like Salim Lawal if he arrives before today’s training which will be their only session before the game.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman