Yesterday the first assistant coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Salisu Yusuf released a list of 30 players for the senior national team of Nigeria upcoming friendly games against Mexico and Ecuador respectively.
Five players will be dropped from the list of players called up for both games which will take place on the 28th of May and 2nd of June respectively.
Yusuf, who is also Head Coach of the CHAN and the U23 teams, has included eight home–based professional players, including goalkeepers Adewale Adeyinka and Ojo Olorunleke, defender Ibrahim Buhari, and forwards Victor Mbaoma and Ishaq Rafiu.
Only 25 players will make the final list for the tour, which is preparatory to next month’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Sierra Leone in Abuja (9th June) and São Tomé & Príncipe in Marrakech, Morocco (13th June).
OwnGoalNigeria.com takes a look at the players and what inform the decision to call up the players looking at every position.
Goalkeepers: Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands); Adewale Adeyinka (Akwa United); Ojo Olorunleke (Enyimba FC)
– A look at the above name suggest a path towards growing the pool in an area where Nigeria has limited options. Logically one expect Adebayo Adeleye of Israeli side Hapoel Jerusalem to be in the list but it’s worth remembering that having options locally has always been a mooted idea.
Both goalkeppers have been way more active than Francis Uzoho who hasn’t tasted action since playing for Nigeria against Ghana, where his howler gifted Ghana the goal which sealed their spot at the World Cup ahead of Nigeria.
Leke Ojo is one player who hasn’t been lucky with senior national team football, lost his spot to John Noble, reclaimed it and doesn’t look like letting go of it anytime soon. Adeyinka was by far the best goalkepper last season when Akwa United lifted the league and although he hasn’t reached same heights this season. He still ranks among the best in the NPFL this season.
Verdict – Nice one Salisu
Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Abdullahi Shehu (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Isa Ali (Remo Stars); Chidozie Awaziem (Alanyaspor FC, Turkey); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Ibrahim Buhari (Plateau United)
– The name Isa Ali who plays for Remo Stars doesn’t ring a bell even for followers of the NPFL but it’s worthy to note that he was instrumental to Remo Stars whirlwind start to the season. However Ibrahim Buhari can’t be said to be unknown.
Two seasons ago in what was his debut season in the league following his signing from Rarara FC. He dovetailed nicely with Andrew Ikefe. Injuries weren’t kind to him last season but this season he appears to be back to same form which made him a target for several league teams two years ago.
Every other name on the list picks themselves. Although one has to look at the fact that the duo of Leon Balogun and Calvin Bassey will likely miss the game as they are going to be involved in the Europa League final against Eintracht Frankfurt on the 26th. Two days before the first game against Mexico. Maybe that’s where a Kenneth Omeruo would have fit in.
Verdict – Thumbs up Salisu
Midfielders: Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Oghenekaro Etebo (Watford FC, England); Chiamaka Madu (Rivers United); Babatunde Afeez Nosiru (Kwara United); Azubuike Okechukwu (Yeni Malatyaspor, Turkey); Samson Tijani (Red Bull Salzburg, Austria); Alhassan Yusuf (Royal Antwerp FC, Belgium)
– The main talking point has to be the inclusion of Oghenekaro Etebo, who hasn’t done enough to warrant a spot owing to limited game time at relegated English Premier League side Watford. Then Azubuike Okechukwu return to the national team can be said to be two years late.
Alhassan Yusuf has been one the star performers for modest Belgium side Antwerp. His call up is well deserved. Samson Tijani represents the future and he has grown this season at RB Salzburg. Chiamaka Madu is a head scratcher but his inclusion has a lot to do with Yusuf’s trust in him after the years spent together at Rangers before his move to Rivers United.
Nosiru who first professional team was Kaduna United three seasons ago before moving to Niger Tornadoes after a season. Now at Kwara United he has shown his ability from set pieces. Aside that he is very assured in tackles and boast a good range of passes.
Verdict- Could be better.
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Fatih Karagumruk, Turkey); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Ademola Lookman (Leicester City, England); Sadiq Umar (UD Almeria, Spain); Emmanuel Dennis (Watford FC, England); Cyriel Dessers (Feyenoord FC, The Netherlands); Victor Mbaoma (Enyimba FC); Ishaq Rafiu (Rivers United)
– Dessers getting called up is a reward for his performance in the Europa Conference League where he is presently the top scorer. Mbaoma is in on account of how well he has grown working with Finidi George, one of the assistants of Yusuf in the Super Eagles.
Ishaq is the revelation of the season with 12 goals. His left foot is one of the sweetest the League has experienced in a long while. Looks more like one who need to make the next step now rather than later.
Verdict – Good one Salisu
