Ahead of their final game of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on Sunday, September 10, against São Tomé and Príncipe, Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro has handed first international call-up to Gent duo Gift Orban and Jordan Torunarigha as well as Bundesliga new star Victor Boniface, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Nigeria face the Falcons and True Parrots in a match-day six of the AFCON qualifiers at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja on Sunday.
Orban has enjoyed a bright start to the new season scoring six goals in nine appearances for his Belgian club, Gent while his club teammate, Torunarigha, who plays as a centre-back, has been in fine form as well and has scored a goal and registered another assist in 10 games.
Boniface also had an impressive season with his new club Bayer Leverkusen from his summer move from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.
The striker has scored five goals in four games and provided two assists.
While the trio had been handed their first call-up for Nigeria, Peseiro, in a list released by the media team of the Nigeria Football Federation on Sunday, once again surprisingly did not invite Chuba Akpom for the AFCON qualifier.
The Portuguese tactician also recalls Portugal-based left-back Bruno Onyemaechi and defensive midfielder Raphael Onyedika.
Despite the inconsequential of the game, there was only one spot for home-based players in the 63-year-old list.
Olorunleke Ojo, goalkeeper of the Nigeria Professional Football League champions, Enyimba FC, was the only home-based invited for the encounter.
Top of the list of invited players is Victor Osimhen, whose 31 goals in all competitions for Napoli last season helped the Italian giants claim their first Italian Serie A title in 33 years while also making it far to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.
Defender William Troost-Ekong, midfielder Alex Iwobi and forward Samuel Chukwueze are among others called up for the game.
Defenders Ola Aina, Tyronne Ebuehi, Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi and Jamilu Collins also got the nod from the tactician while midfielders Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka, and forwards Taiwo Awoniyi and Kelechi Iheanacho were also named in the 23-man roster.
The Eagles, who are top of their qualification group with 12 points, won the last encounter between the two sides 10-0 at the Adrar Stadium in Morocco on June 13, 2022.
