Peseiro invites Orban, Boniface, Torunarigha for Sao Tome clash
Ahmed Musa, Iwobi, Sanusi left out of squad
Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro has handed out long-awaited maiden call-ups to Nigerian strikers Victor Boniface and Gift Orban, as well as Jordan Torunarigha for the 2024 AFCON Qualifier against Sao Tome & Principe.
Portuguese tactician Peseiro has rewarded the trio for their impressive showings for their clubs with their first invitations to the Super Eagles squad.
Bayer Leverkusen striker Boniface has hit the ground running with five goals and two assists in his first four competitive appearances for his new club, and Orban has scored six times in eight appearances this season for Gent.
Germany-born defender Torunarigha recently committed his international career to the Super Eagles, following in the footsteps of his father. His good form for Gent has seen him earn a place in the squad for the game against Sao Tome & Principe.
Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa is the biggest absentee from the squad, with the experienced forward usually being a mainstay in the national squad. Similarly, new Fulham signing Alex Iwobi misses out, as do full-backs Bright Osayi-Samuel and Zaidu Sanusi.
Empoli defender Tyronne Ebuehi returns to the national team alongside Francis Uzoho, Ola Aina, Jamilu Collins and Raphael Onyedika.
Here is the squad for Sao Tome & Principe in full:
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)
