Nigeria take on Sierra Leone in a doubleheader Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on the 13th and 17th of November respectively.
The Super Eagles host the first leg at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin, before the Leone Stars host the second leg in Freetown four days later.
Nigeria currently lead their group with maximum points from two games, and wins in both matches against Sierra Leone will see them qualify for 2022 AFCON.
The Super Eagles manager, Gernot Rohr, has invited 24 players for the doubleheader. Ahead of the two games, Soccernet takes a look at the transfer value of each player called-up.
NB: Figures are from Transfer Market, and it is only for players invited for the qualifiers.
Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam)
The 20-year-old joined Sparta Rotterdam from Fortuna Dusseldorf on a free transfer, but he is currently valued at €150Th.
Okoye’s career at Sparta hasn’t gone off to a good start so far. He only made his first appearance in the KNVB Becker loss to Ado Den Haag, while he conceded four on his first league start last week.
However, he kept a clean sheet in the win over RKC Waalwijk and was in goal in Nigeria’s international friendly games against Algeria and Tunisia last month.
Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs)
Akpeyi will challenge Okoye for the number one spot in the two qualifying games. He’s the only goalkeeper of the three invited that plays in Africa. The former Warri Wolves star currently plays for Kaizer Chiefs in South Africa and has a transfer value of €600Th.
The 34-year-old was Nigeria’s number one at last year’s AFCON while he was also in goal in the two qualifying games against The Benin Republic and Lesotho.
Sebastian Osigwe (FC Lugano)
Swiss-born Osigwe is the only new invitee in the squad having represented the country at U-20 level.
The 26-year-old currently plays for Swiss top-flight club, FC Lugano. Although he joined Lugano on a free transfer, Osigwe has a €125Th estimated transfer value.
He conceded five goals in a pre-season friendly against Inter Milan. Nonetheless, the former SC Kriens shot-stopper has featured in four league games for Lugano.
William Troost Ekong(Watford)
Ekong’s moved to Watford from Udinese raised a few eyebrows as he left the Italian top-flight for England’s second division.
But the Super Eagles vice-captain revealed the move would give him a chance to fulfil his English premier league dream. Ekong joined the Hornets for a reported €5m, but the downgrade has dropped his value to just €3.20m.
Leon Balogun(Rangers)
The other member of the famous ‘Oyinbo wall” is a Rangers star, who he joined from Brighton on a free transfer.
The former Mainz defender had a difficult time with the Seagulls, but he has five league appearances for the Gers this season.
Despite joining Steven Gerrard’s side on a free transfer, Balogun has a market value of €800Th.
Semi Ajayi(West Brom)
Ajayi is just one of the few Nigerian defenders playing in Europe’s top five leagues. The 26-year-old played a vital role in West Brom’s promotion to the Premier League and has six top-flight appearances this season.
The former Rotherham defender has an estimated transfer value of €5.00m
Chidozie Awaziem(Boavista)
Chidozie Awaziem joined Boavista on a loan deal with an option to buy from Porto. Valued at €6.00m, he is Nigeria’s second most valuable defender.
The ex-Leganes man has made five appearances for Boavista this season and even captained them to a stunning 3-0 victory over Benfica last Monday.
Kevin Akpoguma(Hoffenheim)
Akpoguma only made his debut for Nigeria last month after representing Germany at youth level. He currently plays for Hoffenheim and has over 60 appearances for them.
Able to function as centre-back and right-back, Akpoguma is valued at €4.80m.
Ola Aina(Fulham)
Aina is Nigeria’s most valued defender with a transfer value of €7.00m. He is on-loan at Fulham from Serie A club, Torino.
The Chelsea academy graduate opened his account for Fulham last Monday’s victory over West Brom. Aina’s versatility is what makes him an important member of the Super Eagles squad.
Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto)
Like Akpoguma, Sanusi also made his Super Eagles debut last month. The left-back is highly rated, and it was no surprise when Porto paid €2.50m to sign him from Santa Clara.
Sanusi has impressed so far for the Dragons, and that has seen his value almost double with the Nigerian international now valued at €4.00m.
Jamilu Collins(Paderborn)
Collins was the undisputed left-back in the Super Eagles squad before Sanusi’s arrival.
The 26-year-old suffered the disappointment of relegation from the Bundesliga last season. Collins currently has a market value of €2.40m, but Paderborn will definitely get more than that should they receive an offer.
Tyronne Ebuehi (FC Twente)
Although he is a defender, Rohr named Ebuehi as a midfielder on the list. The Dutch-born has had a tough two years following a knee injury during the 2018/2019 preseason camp with Benfica.
Ebuehi had just joined Benfica shortly after the 2018 World Cup, but he suffered a knee injury, which ruled him out of the whole season.
He did make his return last season, but he only featured for Benfica’s second team. FC Twente took a chance on him by taking him on loan, and it is an opportunity he has grabbed with both hands.
Ebuehi currently has a transfer value of €700Th, but Twente will have to pay more than that if they want to sign the Nigerian permanently.
Joe Aribo (Rangers)
Aribo is one of the key players in Steven Gerrard’s Rangers team. He made his Super Eagles debut last year, but his importance to the squad can never be overstated.
It’s a surprise to see his value at €1.00m, but it’s hard to see Rangers selling him for anything less than €20.00m.
Oghenekaro Etebo (Galatasaray)
It has been a mixed year for Etebo, but he is back playing regularly at Galatasaray. The former Warri Wolves star joined Galatasaray on a loan deal following difficult campaign at Stoke City last season.
Etebo has five league appearances for The Lions so far and currently has a transfer value of €4.00m. However, it is unlikely that Stoke City will sell him for that amount.
Frank Onyeka (Midtjylland)
Onyeka also made his international debut last month, but he has been tipped to be a star in Nigeria’s midfield.
Able to operate as a defensive and central midfielder, Onyeka’s performances have been vital to Midtjylland’s recent success.
He is currently valued at €4.00m, but at just the age of 22, he would definitely go for more than that should Midtjylland decide to sell.
Paul Onuachu (Genk)
Onuachu is Nigeria’s best striker in Europe this season with nine goals in 11 league games for Genk.
However, he was not on the initial list and was only called up following an injury to Moses Simon. Onuachu’s style has come under criticism from Rohr, but Genk have been able to utilise his strengths effectively.
The 26-year-old joined Genk from Midtjylland for €6.00m, but his value has increased by one million.
Emmanuel Dennis (Club Brugge)
Another player who plies his trade in the Belgian top-flight. Dennis caught the eye of many after his brace against Real Madrid last season.
He was linked with a move to Borussia Dortmund in the summer, but a deal could not be agreed. Still only 22, Dennis is one of the exciting prospects in Nigeria’s team.
He’s currently valued at €16.00m, but Club Brugge will likely ask for more than that should an offer arrive in January.
Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow)
Ejuke is another exciting prospect in the Super Eagles attack. He made his debut for the three-time African champions in the clash against Tunisia.
He was one of the best wingers in the Dutch top-flight last season, starring for Heerenveen. Although his estimated transfer value is set at €8.00m, CSKA Moscow paid €12.00m to sign him in the summer transfer window.
Alex Iwobi (Everton)
Iwobi is one of Nigeria’s most popular players. He joined Everton from his boyhood club, Arsenal, for a reported fee of €35.00m.
But he hasn’t really justified his price tag at Goodison Park, and that has made his value drop to €25.50m.
Ahmed Musa (Clubless)
Musa is currently without a club after ending his time with Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr. The Super Eagles captain is only 28, but he’s played in England, Russia, Holland and Saudi Arabia.
Although he’s a free agent right now, the former Leicester City forward has an estimated transfer value of €6.00m.
Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City)
There was a time Iheanacho was touted as Nigeria’s next big star, but his career has not progressed as it should.
The Nigerian has, however, been impressive in Europe for Leicester this season with three goals and three assists in the Europa League.
He has a contract that runs till 2022 at the King Power Stadium, but any club hoping to get him before then can sign him for his estimated transfer value of €15.00m.
Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal)
At 21, Chukwueze is still developing, but he is also one of Super Eagles best players. The former Golden Eaglets star plays in the Spanish top-flight with Villarreal, where he’s one of the club’s important players.
Though his estimated value is €25.00m, any club interested in signing him will have to pay his €100.00m release clause.
Victor Osimhen (Napoli)
Nigeria’s golden boy is the most valuable player in the squad. Although Osimhen’s estimated value is €50.00m, Napoli paid a club and African record fee of €81.3m to acquire his services from Lille.
He is still finding his feet in the Italian top-flight, but he has two goals in six league appearances for Gli Azzurri
