AFCON: Controversy Over Musa’s Inclusion, Absence Of Six Players

The final 25-man squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast was recently revealed by Nigeria’s Super Eagles’ head coach, Jose Peseiro.

Peseiro’s squad is facing scrutiny on social media as Nigerians question the inclusion of Ahmed Musa and the absence of six players: Kelechi Nwakali, Olisa Ndah, Terem Moffi, Gift Orban, Nathan Tella, and Cyriel Dessers.

Critics pointed out deficiencies in the midfield, which featured players such as Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Joe Aribo, and Frank Onyeka, asserting that it lacked creativity.

Recall that Peseiro had last Friday named 25 players in the Super Eagles squad for the biennial competition.

Chippa United keeper, Valentine Nwabili is the only new face in the Super Eagles’ squad.

Captain Musa and his assistant, William Troost-Ekong were named in the squad.

The Super Eagles will begin preparations for the competition in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on January 1.

Peseiro’s men are in Group A with hosts Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau.

They will start their quest for a fourth AFCON title against Equatorial Guinea on January 14.

However, scores of Nigerians on X (formerly Twitter) have reacted to Musa’s inclusion in AFCON and absence of the six players.

See below;

@_mykhaxl, “Look at that midfield and then Ahmed Musa.”

@chuccofficial, “Musa on this list is embarrassing to say the least. Leke Ojo is another embarrassment. The whole list is predictable anyways. Thin as usual.”

@Skaeiyrecszxx, “Why do we always do this rubbish? Just 5 midfielders and 8 forwards. When there is no creativity in the game the coach will sub in 2 attackers to replace two midfielders. I am already tired in advance.

@lasb_ph, “Again, just 5 midfielders. We are not making it out of the group stage. Left Nwakali for Aribo, okay.”

@Nhlanhl74272991, “You will return after 2 games shem because why did you leave Ndah out.”

@dunmadesammy, “Just 5 midfielders and we’re pulling up with Moses Simon and Ahmed Musa in 2024? @Nike don’t give them that jersey.”

@jabarzee, “Ahmed Musa is still making the cut in 2024. It won’t be well with NFF lol. And you are not achieving anything with that midfield.”

@Tawo_sam, “So shameful! Everything about this country is ruined by politics. Ahmed Musa and Sadiq Umar over Moffi is such a terrible decision, It’s bewildering.”

@Tawo_sam, “So shameful! Everything about this country is ruined by politics. Ahmed Musa and Sadiq Umar over Moffi is such a terrible decision, It’s bewildering.”

@iam_krypticmoh, “Ahmed Musa has played a total 237 minutes (4 games) of football since August 2023. Terem Moffi, Akor Adams, Gift Orban, Nathan Tella etc all left out. Nigerian football Politics.”

@Fabionelli2, “Say walahi we’re heading to AFCON with Uzoho as our main GK.”

@My_Opinion__, “Musa that hasn’t played active football in years?? Lewl! Anyways #LetsDoItAgain.”

@DerChefTheo, “Just 5 midfielders omooooo…be like na no bouncing we dey go play for #AFCON2024.”

@Henrix_Lfc, “Gift Orban: 20 apps – 11 Goals. Ahmed Musa: 24 apps – 0 goals.”

@CxllumRFC, “Cyriel Dessers doesn’t make the Nigeria squad.”

@MartinOkonkwo, “What happened to Terren Moffi?”