Nigeria have announced their 25-man squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where they will aim to lift their fourth trophy. The team, coached by Jose Peseiro, features three goalkeepers, nine defenders, five midfielders and eight forwards.

Skipper Ahmed Musa makes a comeback to the team after missing the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, while Stanley Nwabili, who plays in South Africa, joins Francis Uzoho and Olorunleke Ojo as the goalkeeping options.

Kenneth Omeruo, who was part of the 2013 AFCON-winning team along with Musa, leads the defence with William Ekong, and is supported by Olaoluwa Aina, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Zaidu Sanusi, Chidozie Awaziem, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Bruno Onyemaechi.

Wilfred Ndidi returns to the midfield after being absent for the World Cup qualifiers, and will link up with Alex Iwobi, Raphael Onyedika, Joe Ayodele-Aribo and Frank Onyeka to supply the attack.

Musa, who holds the record for the most goals scored by a Nigerian at the World Cup finals with four, leads the forward-line with Africa Player of the Year Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Boniface, Sadiq Umar and Ademola Lookman.

The Super Eagles will fly to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, on Tuesday, 2nd January for a one-week training camp, before returning to Lagos on Tuesday, 9th January. They will then head to Abidjan, the capital of Cote d’Ivoire, on Wednesday, 10th January.

Nigeria will face Equatorial Guinea in their opening match of Group A on Sunday, 14th January, followed by games against hosts Cote d’Ivoire on 18th January and Guinea Bissau on 22nd January.

Nigeria, who are making their 20th appearance at the AFCON, won the title as hosts in 1980, in Tunisia in 1994 and in South Africa in 2013.

The last time Cote d’Ivoire hosted the tournament in 1984, Nigeria reached the Final, but lost to the experienced Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in a thrilling encounter at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan.