The list of players who will represent Nigeria in the upcoming friendly games against Mexico on the 3rd of July was made public yesterday by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
A total of 25 players were selected from teams in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL). A list put together by the technical department of the NFF led by Austin Eguavoen.
Eguavoen will coach the team for the game with substantial coach Gernot Rohr handing him the honour of tinkering the squad, which will form the core of players that will represent Nigeria at the next Africa Championship meant for players playing in their domestic leagues.
Going through the list, OwnGoalNigeria.com senior editor and publisher Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman picked out some names who have no business in the list as well as some glaring errors both in the selection and positions assigned to players.
To start with the joint top scorer in the NPFL Mohammed Zulkifilu of Plateau United was listed among the defenders. Although he played in that role for two seasons. His rise this season is all about his adaptation to his new role as a striker with 11 goals to his name.
Stephen Jude of Kwara United was listed among the strikers but he is actually an attacking midfielder apparently that he has scored nine goals informed his listing among the strikers.
His goals were all from runs into the box and not from a role as the top striker in the box. He also boast of six assists which is his main role as a playmaker.
In the list two injured players in Ekundayo Ojo and Imoh Obot were called up. Both players are presently out injured as a matter of fact Obot has played just a game in two months, so on which form was the left back called up?
Abdulmutalib Sanusi of Katsina United was picked as striker but he is a right full back. The list also has as many as five wingers in Nenrot Silas, Anayo Iwuala, Ibrahim Olawoyin, Auwalu Ali Mallam and Uche Onwuasoanya who has most times played on the flanks for Plateau United.
Only two central strikers in Charles Ashimene and Chinonso Ezekwe were called up. One is left to wonder why Silas Nwankwo with eleven goals for Nasarawa United wasn’t called up. However Sadeeq Yusuf who is the league joint top scorer was omitted due to passport issues.
It’s understandable that Ikechukwu Ezenwa is handed a role in the squad but picking him alongside John Noble as the only goalkeepers in the list is not fair on the duo of Adewale Adeyinka of Akwa United who has the highest clean sheet and Vincent Edafe who has been magnificent for Abia Warriors.
Another area that calls for condemnation is the inclusion of Ifeanyi Anaemena of Rivers United who has had a topsy turvy time this season including getting suspended for as many as eight matches this season by his team. He is certainly not in the list of best defenders in the league at the moment.
Goalkeepers: Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Heartland FC); John Noble (Enyimba FC)
Defenders: Olisa Ndah (Akwa United); Adekunle Adeleke (Abia Warriors); Tope Olusesi (Rangers International); Ifeanyi Anaemena (Rivers United); Christopher Nwaeze (Kwara United); Enyinnaya Kazie (Rivers United); Mohammed Zulkifilu(Plateau United); Imoh Ubot (Enyimba FC);Tebo Franklin Degaulle (Nasarawa United); Lawal Oriyomi Murtala (KwaraUnited)
Midfielders: Anthony Shimaga (Rangers International); Seth Mayi (Akwa United); Uche Onwuasoanya (Plateau United); Samuel Nnoshiri (KatsinaUnited); Ekundayo Ojo (Enyimba FC)
Forwards: Anayo Iwuala (Enyimba FC); Stephen Jude (Kwara United); Ibrahim Olawoyin (Rangers International); Charles Ashimene (Akwa United); Chinonso Ezekwe (Rangers International); Auwalu Ali Malam (Kano Pillars); Nenrot Emmanuel Silas (Plateau United); Abdulmutalif Sanusi(Katsina United)