The list of players called up to the senior national team of Nigeria for the upcoming qualifiers games against Lesotho and Zimbabwe respectively was made public yesterday by the Nigeria Football Federation, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
23 players were called up for the two games which will be played on the 16th and 19th respectively in Uyo and way to Kigali, the adopted home ground of the Warriors of Zimbabwe.
Some players many expected to be in the squad for the game were not included, we picked four players namely Jordan Torunarigha, Adeleye Adeleye, Zaidu Sanusi and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.
On goalkeeper Adeleye we gathered, the Hapoel Jerusalem man was left out due to the difficulties in travelling out of Israel, no thanks to the ongoing war in the Gaza region. He is however still in the loop for a spot in the squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Fit again Zaidu Sanusi was expected to be in the team after making his return for FC Porto in the UEFA Champions League game against Antwerp. However the invitation letters were sent out when his recovery for the game was still in doubt, hence his omission from the sqaud.
Former Germany youth international defender Jordan Torunarigha who made his debut in the test game against Mozambique was surprisingly not included in the team. Per what we gathered the Gent defender was left out due to the availability of players who can play in dual roles.
The likes of Bruno Onyemaechi, Ola Aina and Calvin Bassey can all play in more than one role for the team even Chidozie Awaziem was handed a return for a competitive fixture for the first time in over a year, based on not just his form but the fact that he can also fill in at right back.
Former Manchester City midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru was widely expected to keep his spot in the team after bagging an assist in his debut game against Mozambique. He was left out by Peseiro, who picked Joe Aribo due to his experience of playing on the Africa continent.
ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS:
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus); Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba FC); Maduka Okoye (Udinese Calcio, Italy)
Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista FC, Portugal); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa FC, Turkey); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Jamilu Collins (Cardiff FC, Wales)
Midfielders: Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Joe Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)
Forwards: Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany).
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
