Eagles reconvene next week as Guinea Bissau unveil 25-man squad

LISBON, PORTUGAL – NOVEMBER 17: Bright Osayi-Samuel of Nigeria competes for the ball with Nuno Mendes of Portugal during the friendly match between Portugal and Nigeria at Estadio Jose Alvalade on November 17, 2022 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

Super Eagles players and officials are expected to reconvene in Abuja next week to begin preparation for the Cote d’Ivoire 2024 African Cup of Nations qualifying games against Guinea Bissau.

The first of the doubleheader will hold at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja, on March 24 with the return leg coming up three days later in Bissau.

Super Eagles officials told The Guardian at the weekend that Europe-based players would start coming into the country from March 20, as the European leagues will observe an international break from March 20 to 28.

National team coach, Jose Peseiro, is expected to release the list of players he intends to use for the matches early this week after meeting with Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) chiefs.

Super Eagles’ Goalkeepers’ Trainer, Ike Shorunmu, disclosed, yesterday, that the technical crew has already started preparatory work ahead of the players’ arrival immediately after Saturday’s governorship elections.

He said, “our task, as Eagles’ assistant coaches, is to advice and also help Peseiro prepare the squad adequately for the tie. All hands are on deck to ensure the Eagles win the games home and away.”

Meanwhile, Guinea-Bissau’s Head Coach, Baciro Cande, has unveiled a 25-man squad for the matches against Nigeria.

Among the top stars on the list are CD Feirense of Portugal forward, Esmiraldo Sa da Silva, Waregem’s Zinho Gano and Mamadi Camara, who plays for SkyBet Championship club, Reading.

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