Nigeria’s squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and the Benin Republic has finally been made public.
Head coach Finidi George invited 23 players for the two crucial games, comprising three goalkeepers, six defenders, six midfielders, and eight defenders.
After taking a thorough look at the squad, Soccernet.ng‘s Imhons Erons highlight the top decisions Finidi made that the squad announcement revealed.
1. Recalling Maduka Okoye
Okoye has not played for Nigeria in three years but Finidi has given the young goalkeeper another chance to return to the national team fold.
The former Watford goalkeeper has been excellent for Udinese this season and he is one of the biggest reasons why the Zebras are not getting relegated from the Italian Serie A.
Finidi will likely retain Stanley Nwabali as the Super Eagles’ number-one goalie but the Chippa United star must be kept on his toes by a worthy challenger.
While Enyimba’s Olorunleke Ojo has his merits, it is Okoye that will offer Nwabali the competition he needs to remain top-notch.
Good one, Finidi.
2. Lightweight centre defence
Finidi’s team looks a bit lightweight at the heart of the defence.
The former Ajax winger has invited six defenders, four of whom are centre-backs.
It has been a while since anyone last seen Chidozie Awaziem impress for the Super Eagles.
Benjamin Tanimu has only one cap for Nigeria, leaving Semi Ajayi and Calvin Bassey as the top defenders in the squad.
Interestingly, Finidi did not call up any left fullback, which means he may be looking to deploy Bassey in that role.
This leaves his team short on quality in central defence and makes the non-inclusion of Kenneth Omeruo and Williams Troost-Ekong even more alarming.
What are you cooking, coach?
3. Moving away from Peseiro’s defence-first strategy
However, there is an upside to that defensive dilemma.
Inviting only six defenders and bringing in more midfielders is a big move away from the Peseiro days when the team usually suffered significant imbalance.
Finidi will likely ditch Peseiro’s tactics of deploying five defenders and aim to set up the team to dominate the midfield and unleash the excellent attackers at his disposal.
Another good one, Finidi
4. First call-up for Sadiq Ismael
Any close watcher of the Nigerian league over the past two years will admit that there is no better right-back in the NPFL than Sadiq Ismael.
The Remo Stars defender is solid in defence and brilliant going forward. He is tactically intelligent and boasts good crosses in his legs – one of the reasons why he has more assists than any other defender in the top division.
He deserved this first call-up to the national team and he will be a solid backup option for Fenerbahce’s Bright Osayi-Samuel in the absence of Ola Aina.
Again, another good call, Finidi
5. Nigeria-eligible stars frozen out
There are several Nigeria-eligible stars in Europe, who have been eyeing an invitation to the Super Eagles.
Injury stopped Gabriel Osho from honouring Finidi’s call in March but the Super Eagles left the Luton Town defender out completely this time.
Osho’s club teammate Elijah Adebayo will also have to wait a bit longer for a look-in.
There is no room just yet for Ajax forward Chuba Akpom and Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo.
Clearly, Finidi is not interested in playing games and has called those who are ready for business. Hopefully, the head coach will look their way when the opportunity presents itself.
Full Squad List:
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Ojo Olorunleke (Enyimba FC)
Defenders: Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista FC, Portugal); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); Sadiq Ismael (Remo Stars FC); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Benjamin Tanimu (Ihefu SC, Tanzania)
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (Royal Antwerp FC, Belgium); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Hatayspor, Turkey)
Forwards: Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France)
