The list of players for the Super Eagles back to back AFCON 2021 Qualifiers games against Sierra Leone was made public yesterday by coach Gernot Rohr with 24 players listed by the Franco-German coach.
In the absence of first choice Francis Uzoho, the trio of Maduka Okoye, Daniel Akpeyi and Ikechukwu Ezenwa were picked as goalkeepers even though Hapoel Katamon goalkeeper Adebayo Adeleye was considered for a call up. The 19 year old was later dropped with Rohr keen on sticking with the players he has worked with the last one year.
In defence, there was a first time call up for Cologne defender Kingsley Ehizibue who met with Rohr over the weekend in Germany where he pledged his allegiance to the Super Eagles despite representing the Netherlands at U21 level in 2016. Ironically he turned down Nigeria at that time to play for the Netherlands. Back then he was at Dutch side PEC Zwolle.
His invitation came as a necessity with Rohr keen on strengthening his options at right back as he presently has Chidozie Awaziem, Ola Aina and Shehu Abdullahi as options with Tyronne Ebuehi yet to get back to his best level despite recovering from a ligament injury. Ehizibue is expected to be an upgrade on the aforementioned trio.
Leon Balogun was also handed a recall in defence with experience the yardstick behind his call up after he ended his inactivity at club level by moving to English Championship side Wigan Athletics on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion.
Oghenekaro Etebo was also handed a recall in midfield following his loan move to Getafe where he has gotten more game time than at Stoke City in the first half of the season. He is however facing a battle to hang on to his spot in the middle with Joe Aribo, Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi now the preferred trio in midfield.
Cyriel Dessers finally got his wish to play for Nigeria but his call up was pushed by the officials of the Nigeria Football Federation ( NFF) as coach Rohr was opposed to calling up the Dutch Eredivisie second top scorer as he still has faith in Paul Onuachu.
The fear of a backlash from the public after the NFF publicly posted a speech from the Belgian-Nigerian who has 18 goals in 28 games for Heracles openly pledging his allegiance to the Super Eagles made Rohr to bend to the wish of his employers.
One shock inclusion is that of Shehu Abdullahi who plays for Turkish second division side Bursaspor and the omission of Heerenveen of the Netherlands high flying winger Chidera Ejuke. Abdullahi was included base on the fact that he can play multiple roles on the pitch.
Ejuke on his part was under consideration but the return to form of Samuel Kalu made his call impossible as Rohr is a big admirer of the abilities of the Bordeaux wide man. Ejuke will no doubt have a chance with the team before the end of the year.
