The interim coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Austine Eguavoen will send out provisional letter of invitation to players who are expected to be a part of his squad for the upcoming AFCON 2025 qualifiers games in October, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Smarting from picking four points in their first two games of the qualifiers after beating Benin Republic 3-0 and drawing 0-0, the Super Eagles who are presently top of their group will return to action with back to back games against Libya.
Eguavoen who is expected to stay in his role following the failure of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to get a substantive coach for the team will invite 35 players, a list that will be reduced to 25 before the games.
We speak five players who were not a part of the squad for the first two games, but will be hoping to get a look in for the games owing to their fine form for their respective clubs.
Chrisantus Uche – He has had a whirlwind start to his career in the Spanish top division playing as a striker as opposed to his main role as a defensive midfielder. So far he hasn’t missed any of their four games this season and he is expected to maintain that trend later today against Real Betis. His invitation will however be in doubt if he continues to play in attack owing to the options available in that role for the team.
Hamzat Ojediran – Another who have wasted no time in settling in his new environment following his move to Ligue 1 side Lens. The former Nigeria U17 midfielder hasn’t looked out of place in the three games he has played so far this season.
Gabriel Osho – Newly promoted Auxerre are struggling in the Ligue 1 but Osho who joined from Luton can easily pass as one of their best players so far. Called up once but couldn’t honor the call due to a knock. Another chance could be in the offing if he continues to impress.
Chidera Ejuke- Not entirely new to the coach or the team with eight caps to his name including a role at the 2021 AFCON. The Sevilla man will fancy his chances of getting back into the setup with four games under his belt this season in the LaLiga. The unimpressive showing of Samuel Chukwueze could also helped his case.
Nathan Tella – With one cap to his name, the Bayern Leverkusen winger controversially opted out of the world cup qualifiers games against South Africa and Benin Republic respectively. We however gathered that he is still open to accepting an invitation as family issues kept him out the last time he was called up.
