AFCON 2023 qualifiers: Simon, Ndidi, Iheanacho arrive Super Eagles’ camp Sunday

Moses Simon makes a run during the friendly match between Portugal and Nigeria at Estadio Jose Alvalade on November 17, 2022 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo: AFP)

Moses Simon will be one of the early birds at the Super Eagles’ John Woods Hotel abode as invited players begin to stream in for the quickfire double 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches against Guinea Bissau’s Djurtus.

Simon, who plays for FC Nantes of France, will arrive today alongside TSG Hoffenheim of Germany defender Kevin Akpoguma.

Leicester City of England duo Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho are also expected in town the same day.

Simon, one of the longest-serving players in the team with 55 caps since making his Super Eagles debut back in 2015, is expected to play a key role in the two games that could see the Nigeria snatch an early ticket to the 34th AFCON finals in Cote d’Ivoire early next year.

Akpoguma who captained Germany at the FIFA U20 World Cup in New Zealand in 2015 before committing to Nigeria a few years later will be among the pillars at the rear.

With a maximum six points from their previous two matches, victory in the top-of-the-table clashes will see the three-time champions soar to 12 points and most probably in an unassailable position.

Sierra Leone could earn six points in their clashes with Sao Tome and Principe but that still keeps them on seven points and the Super Eagles still have a home game against bottom-of-the-table Sao Tome and Principe on the final match-day of the campaign.

Majority of the remaining 19 invited Super Eagles players are expected to land in Abuja on Monday, March 20.

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