Folarin Balogun Among 6 Nigeria-Eligible Stars Super Eagles Coach Jose Peseiro Can Bank on in 2023

• Nigeria will continue the quest to qualify for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations to be held in the Ivory Coast
• Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro has stated his first priority will be for Nigeria to conquer all of Africa
• The Portuguese tactician will need to look out for some Nigeria-eligible talents playing in Europe

Quite a number of talented footballers are eligible to play for the Super Eagles, as Jose Peseiro prepares his squad for the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

A number of Nigeria-eligible players born outside the shores of the country could represent the senior national team in the AFCON qualifiers, which return in March.

Past coaches of the west African country's senior team have been able to convince players with dual or even multiple nationalities to play for them.

Recently, players like Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, Maduka Okoye, Ola Aina, Joe Aribo and Ademola Lookman all switched allegiance to play for Nigeria.

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Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro has disclosed that his first priority is to win the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Sports Brief looks at six players the manager could possibly turn to.

6. Chuba Akpom - Middlesbrough

The 27-year-old striker is performing wonders in the English SkyBet Championship for Middlesbrough and won the December Player of the Month award.

He is the current top scorer in the Championship with 16 goals in 24 matches so far this season, BeSoccer reports.

With his current form, a combination of Akpom and Victor Osimhen will rip apart any defence in African football.

5. Michael Olise - Crystal Palace

Another exciting footballer, born in England to a Nigerian father and a French mother, the 21-year-old attacking midfielder and winger is also in great form.

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Michael Olise has played 21 matches in the current campaign and scored two goals, which has seen his value rise to €23-million.

4. Samuel Ikechukwu Edozie - Southampton

The 20-year-old winger was born in England to a Nigerian father and an English mother and has continued to impress.

Although he is a member of the England U20 team, Ikechukwu Edozie is still eligible to switch allegiance to feature for the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

He was a Manchester City player, but failed to make an appearance for the Citizens before moving to Southampton.

3. Kevin Schade - Brentford and SC Frieburg

Born to a German mother and a Nigerian father, Kevin Schade is eligible to represent both Germany and Nigeria in international competitions.

Super Eagles coach, Peseiro will need to strike quickly if he is to take advantage, with the forward having already represented several youth teams of Germany.

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Schade's current transfer value is between €3.3-mil and €5.6-mil. His last transfer was from SC Freiburg to Brentford in January.

2. Folarin Balogun - Arsenal and Reims

Folarin Balogun is the top scorer in Ligue 1 presently.

The striker, who is on loan from Arsenal, has drastically improved this season and is now being discussed as one of the brightest forward prospects in European football.

Balogun has already scored 15 league goals in 22 this season and is eligible to play senior team football for England, the USA and Nigeria.

Ex-goalkeeper, Andrew Aikhoumogbe said via Soccernet:

“He will be a great addition and will create stiff competition in the Super Eagles attack. No doubt, Balogun will compliment Osimhen’s effort in the attack and of course, Nigerians should be expecting goals from all angles once the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers resume.”

1. Caleb Okoli - Atalanta

Another impressive talent plying his trade with Atalanta in Italy, Caleb Okoli has already featured for Italy’s U19, U20 and U21 national teams.

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The 21-year-old is of Nigerian descent and still eligible to play senior national team football for the Super Eagles.

Balogun on AC Milan's radar

Sports Brief earlier reported on Balogun's impressive performances for Reims catching the attention of AC Milan, who are now preparing a bid for him.

The 21-year-old is currently on loan from Arsenal and is also leading the goalscoring chart in France, ahead of PSG's trio of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.

AC Milan have struggled in front of goal this term, with the Rossoneri looking at a reliable striker for next season and Balogun said to be their ideal target.