‘NFF, clubs agree on early release of players for AFCON’

Nigerian Football Federation (NFF)

Peseiro submits 50-man provisional list

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has reached an agreement with the European clubs of Super Eagles players to release invited players on time for the final camping in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), ahead of the 2023 African Cup of Nations billed to hold from January 12 to February 11, 2024.

There were fears that some of the clubs were not disposed to allowing their stars to leave for training camps in the middle of their leagues, especially when the days do not fall under the FIFA open window.

But such fears have been dispelled by NFF’s Media Director, Ademola Olajire, who told The Guardian, yesterday, that Nigerian players would be released by the clubs on time for the camp, which opens on January 2.

Olajire said the NFF was still expecting Coach Jose Peseiro to send his final list of players for the competition, to communicate such to the various clubs. He said: “The Super Eagles’ list is not yet out. I don’t know when, but the players will definitely be released as from January 1.”

The Confederation of African Football (CAF), at the weekend, announced that all the 24 nations for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament have submitted their provisional squads, as directed by the football body.

According to the tournament’s regulations, each member association that qualified for the final tournament are to submit a provisional list of not more than 55 players not later than December 14, 2023.

CAF said the final squads for the tournament will comprise 27 players, up from the 23 in previous events. But the registration of the four additional players on the final list is only an option and not an obligation.

The deadline for the