Onyeka, Iwobi, Bassey available for London derbies as CAF set date for release of AFCON-bound players

In a circular addressed to the Federations of the twenty-four countries participating in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, the Confederation of African Football have set a date for the release of players to the national associations, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

The release period for the players named on the rosters is January 1, 2024, and the Federations were also informed that invitation letters must be sent to the players' clubs not later than December 17, 2023.

Clubs have the right to refuse the release of the players to the associations if the invitation letters are not sent by December 17.

Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey, who are guaranteed spots on the Nigeria roster, will be available for selection on December 31 when Fulham face Arsenal in a Premier League London derby but could miss the Emirates FA Cup clash against Rotherham United on January 5, 2024.

In the same vein, another shoo-in for the Africa Cup of Nations, Frank Onyeka has been given the green light to take to the pitch on December 30 when Brentford take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in London.

The deadline for the submission of a provisional squad containing a maximum of 55 players was on Thursday, December 14, while a final squad of 27 players must be sent by January 3, 2024.

Nigeria will open group play against Equatorial Guinea  at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan (Jan. 14), followed by a meeting with hosts Ivory Coast (Jan. 18) and conclude with a game against Guinea Bissau at the iconic Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan on January 22.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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