Nigeria recall skipper Ahmed Musa for African Cup of Nations finals

Ahmed Musa concluded his international career with his 108th cap in June, but coach Jose Peserio (63) has included him in the 25-man squad announced on Friday for the upcoming tournament. Also selected is defender Kenneth Omeruo (30), who was part of the Nigerian team that clinched the continental title in Johannesburg in 2013.

Peserio has chosen eight players from English clubs, but has left out Taiwo Awoniyi (26) from Nottingham Forest, favoring Victor Boniface (23) of Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen, who has netted 10 league goals this season.

Surprisingly, Nice striker Terem Moffi (24) has been omitted from the squad, despite a strong lineup of forwards that includes Victor Osimhen (24), the recently crowned African Footballer of the Year from Napoli.

Nigeria will be competing in Group A alongside the hosts and will kick off their tournament in Abidjan on January 14th against Equatorial Guinea. They will then face Ivory Coast and Guinea Bissau.

The team's preparations will take place in Abu Dhabi, where they will have a warm-up international match against Guinea on January 8th.

Here is the Nigeria squad:

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabili (Chippa United), Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba), Francis Uzoho (Omonia Nicosia)

Defenders: Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest), Semi Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion), Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista), Calvin Bassey (Fulham), Kenneth Omeruo (Leganes), Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce), Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto), William Troost Ekong (PAOK Salonika)

Midfielders: Joe Aribo (Southampton), Alex Iwobi (Fulham), Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge), Frank Onyeka (Brentford)

Forwards: Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen), Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan), Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City), Ademola Lookman (Atalanta), Ahmed Musa (Sivasspor), Victor Osimhen (Napoli), Moses Simon (Nantes), Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad).