Also on the list is in-form forward Victor Osimhen, whose 31 goals in all competitions for his club side SSC Napoli helped the Italian giants to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League and to their first Italian Serie A title in 33 years.

Osimhen, who tops the strikers’ list, has also recently been honoured with the National Award of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic by the Nigerian government.

He also received a special ball and jersey from the world football-ruling body, FIFA, for his magnificent season.

The Super Eagles are top of their qualification group with nine points out of four matches, followed by Guinea Bissau’s Wild Dogs, who have seven points. Leone Stars, who gave the Eagles a tough run in Abuja on Day 1 of the qualification series before succumbing 2-1, are on five points. Sao Tome and Principe, who’ll play the Super Eagles on the final day of the series in September, are at the bottom with only one point.

Nigeria and Sierra Leone will clash at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium in Monrovia on Sunday, June 18, as Sierra Leone do not have any stadium in their country approved for international matches.

FULL LIST OF INVITED PLAYERS

Goalkeepers: Adebayo Adeleye (Hapoel Jerusalem, Israel); Victor Sochima (Rivers United, Nigeria); Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba FC, Nigeria).

Defenders: William Ekong (Watford FC, England), Calvin Bassey (Ajax FC, The Netherlands), Kevin Akpoguma (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany), Chidiebube Duru (Rivers United. Nigeria), Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England), Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain), Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal), and 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: Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy). Moses Simon (Nantes FC, France), Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain), Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy), Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England), Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England), Ahmed Musa (Sivasspor K, Turkey).

Eguavoen was appointed to guard the team at the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon after the Nigerian Football Federation sacked Gernot Rohr last December.

Iwobi, who made his first start against Guinea-Bissau at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon gave more insight into the Nigerian squad under Eguavoen.

He said “I’m not too sure anything has changed playing under Eguavoen, but I feel the team is hungrier under him now, we are more of a family now on and off the pitch. We are one big family now. We are all happy to have won our three opening games. These victories show that we are ready for any opponent and it is a good signal we are sending out there to any team that wants to play Nigeria. We are doing well and we need to keep the consistency. We want to beat the best to win the AFCON and we are not getting carried away with these wins. We still have to remain focused and humble there are still more tough games to be played and we will keep doing our country proud. The No.10 role is my favourite position, however, I’m happy to play in any position the coach wants me to play in. I will give my best to the team. I don’t really mind playing out on the wings.”

Oghenekaro Etebo, Kenneth Omeruo, Francis Uzoho, Chidera Ejuke, Kingsley Michael and Henry Onyekuru all stormed the team’s Eko Hotel camp on Monday, August 30.

Other players in camp include Kelechi Iheanacho, Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Daniel Akpeyi and Adekunle.

Nigeria will play the Lone Stars at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos on Friday, before facing the Blue Sharks four days later at the Estádio Municipal Adérito Sena, Mindelo.

The winner of the group gets automatic qualification to the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The Everton forward tested positive in Benin Republic before Saturday’s AFCON clash against the home team, which Nigeria won 1-0. He later travelled back to Nigeria with the rest of the squad on Sunday.

Eagles spokesman Babafemi Raji said “Iwobi has left the camp, before he left, he did not show any symptoms, he was fine. The team will follow up on him.”

The Super Eagles will play their final qualifier clash against bottom nation Lesotho at the National Stadium, Surulere on Tuesday, March 30.

Nigeria scored the first goal through Odion Ighalo in the 19th minutes but Cameroon scored two quick goals in the 41th (Stephane Bahoken) and 44th (Clinton Njie) minutes to take a 2-1 advantage going into the half time break.

It was an electrifying second half which saw Nigeria score two goals in three minutes as Ighalo got his second goal for the night on the 63th and turn provider for Alex Iwobi on the 65th minutes.

The match ended 3-2 as Nigeria will now face the winner between Egypt and South Africa, who will play later tonight.