The 28-man list for players that will represent Nigeria at the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations has been released, and there are some notable additions
Orlando Pirates star Olisa Ndah and Huesca midfielder Kelechi Nwakali made the cut for the 28-man squad that will don the colours of Nigeria at the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.
For both players, it is a massive breakthrough in their careers, as both have been peripheral figures for the Super Eagles.
Nwakali has been unable to replicate his Under-17 skills at the senior level, while Ndah just broke onto the Nigerian scene barely two years ago.
Ndah’s consistent solid performances helped Akwa United win the Nigeria Professional Football League last season. With him in defence, the Promise Keepers conceded just 24 goals last season- the least in the league.
His consistent performances in the league earned him his first national call-up when Nigeria’s home-based Super Eagles took on Mexico earlier this year. However, it turned out to be an outing to forget for the 23-year-old as Nigeria was humiliated 4-0
Nevertheless, after a wonderful season with Akwa United, Ndah joined former South African Champions Orlando Pirates in August.
Since joining Pirates, he has cemented his place in the first team. He has featured in 13 of his side’s 18 fixtures this season.
While Ndah might have been selected as an Orlando Pirates player, it would not be out of place to say that he won himself a spot in Eguavoen’s team because of his performance in the NPFL.
Recently, the clamour for the inclusion of NPFL players in national selection has gotten louder, especially because of former Nigeria Coach Gernot Rohr’s perceived apathy towards the talents based at home.
But with players like Ndah, who has proven his quality both home and abroad, it looks like the NPFL can add this to its list of positives.
Meanwhile, Nwakali has been one of the best players for Huesca this season. The 23-year-old has played an integral role for Oscenses Azulgranas as they look to return to the Spanish top-flight.
After struggling to pin down a starting shirt for the last two seasons, Nwakali has now played in 18 of Huesca’s 21 Laliga2 games this season.
His ability to link the midfield and attack effortlessly has made him a renowned figure in Aragon.
However, his compatriot Alex Alex Iwobi who also plays in midfield, has been a figure of ridicule at Everton. The former Arsenal man has been poor in recent months.
Iwobi struggled to start in an injury-ridden Everton side, as 20-year-old prodigy Anthony Gordon is considered more effective by Everton gaffer Rafael Benitez.
Even when on national duty for Nigeria, Iwobi still hasn’t convinced Nigerian fans that he is the ideal number 10 for the Super Eagles.
This is not to discredit the 25-year-old, but Iwobi has not helped Super Eagles fans move on from memories of the retired Austin Okocha.
Most Super Eagles followers still clamour for the “next Okocha”, not necessarily because of his ability to dribble, but because of his ability to link the midfield to the attack effortlessly- something Iwobi has struggled to do consistently.
Moreover, even at 25, no one can comfortably pinpoint Iwobi’s favoured position. He showed brilliance during the 2018 World Cup qualifier when he played from midfield, but he has struggled to replicate that form for the Super Eagles consistently.
However, Nwakali could be that man for Nigeria. The former U-17 star showed glimpses of his ability whilst playing for the Golden Eaglets, and after suffering a lull, it seems like the former Arsenal man has come into his own.
However, the midfield decision still lies in Eguavoen’s hands, and whilst it could be risky to choose form over experience, Nwakali could eventually become a midfield wildcard for Eguavoen.
This post was last modified on December 26, 2021 11:20 am
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Eguavoen’s problem and that of Eagles is who is going to manage the side .Now if a new coach is going to be appointed he will have his own style of play . Of the two players one plays in one of the toughest leagues in the world. The second division of the Spanish league can’t be compared to it. Then the coach will also look for experience rather than a rookie . Once the camp opens then a decision will be made . The leagues are just not the same - think about it . If you play in a league where there are great players that play for top European nations , you can’t tell me that players that play for African sides or lower leagues in Europe are comparable
Iwobi should be in the starting line up - he has played in the AFCON, World Cup and plays in one of the best leagues in the world
A
not true, when Sunday Mba decided Afcon 2013 their were players in the squad in better leagues
Ndah has no business there. Why will akpoguma be the victim? . If balogun is injured and with ekongs inconsistencies, can Ndah start a game?
Shai... Very true. Na wa for our local coaches. Politics gas started already.
Football should be based on form rather than name or glory , the club or the country means nothing when you are not producing consistently.
Zambia won the 2012 edition against ivory Coast with no player in any of the big leagues any where while Ivory Coast futured players in the best league in the world.
In 2013 Nigeria won with six home based players in 2006 Egypt won with all the players playing in Egypt.
As for Nigerian chances of winning, we must play with our identity, we lost our identity under Rohr and that is what Eguavon must reestablish as the coach.
We also want to see Nigerian total commitment and resilience which has made us successful at all grade even at the face of adversities our fighting spirits has always Distinguished us from other countries.
In 1990 Nations Cup, we lost the opening game by 5-1 against the Algerians , we went on to win all our next games and had to play the same Algeria in the finals, we lost by just 1-0 .
That is determination as resilience.
We lost all that during Rohr time as coach.
Rohr is a Rorhbish coach that has Rohrbish Super Eagles.
Football is basically form not past glory. Iwobi has been very inconsistent, indecisive, not sure of his wing at Everyone, no confidence, The truth is he has not justified his inclusion in the team
Very true, but his efforts for super eagle's just makes Nigerians love him , despite his poor club form
Absolutely.
The game right now has to do with physicality and the ability to apply progressive wisdom while in the pitch and not depending on past glory.
My concern is just the presence of Eguavoen. He has absolutely no business there. The NFF is a business venture, especially with people like Amaju Pinnick and Austin Eguavoen. Eguavoen has always been the money man, same as Samson Siasia. These men made a lot 9f money from players. I am not talking from what people said, I saw these things happen. Siasia led the U-23 team to a friendly in South Africa some years back. They were camped in a hotel in Ajao estate at the time. The airfoce base was their training ground. The idiot collected money from my friend no sooner had he checked into the hotel. At the time, the young man was the hottest in the Nigeria league.
Eguavoen is also like that,same as Amaju Pinnick. What business has Ndah in that team? What happened to Paul Onuachu whose goals brought us to the AFCON? What is Odion Ighalo doing in that team? His time has come and gone,why force him back? Ahmed Musa has not convinced us either in the last two seasons. Akpoguma was not given enough time. Just one bad game and he is off the team. Can Ndah fill in for Troost-Ekong if there is an injury to Ekong?
That team looks monetized. I do not trust Eguavoen. Daniel Amokachi is a better human and coach. Nwakali, well, I don't know. I think he is a good player but I don't know how much he had worked to convince his selection.
Finally, Eguavoen is a good coach, but I don't trust his character or judgement or criteria for selection.
Well for me I think some players shouldn't have made the team list for afcon like ighalo,akpeyi,Musa who is old compared to those young players.
Most of the time we always based our view on past glory as against present glory. Football does not deal with the past but present form. Let's give the Coach the chance. We all cried for the removal of t GR now we have our own let's work together for the overall success. Every body can not make the team considering the number of players permitted by CAF
Olisa Ndah cannot be compared to Calvin Bassey or Kelvin Akpoguma . LEON Balogun is injured and only GOd knows when he will return to action not to talk about when he will pick form. Shehu Abdulaji sits on the bench for a team in Cyprus. Hmmm, Tyron plays in the serial A and plays regularly yet the former is who is a sub- standard player is preferred over the latter in the name of federal character. Ndah, Shehu and Bagun should have been replaced by Bassey, Akpoguma and Ebuehi. The defence as it is now is a major source of worry for funs of the super eagles.
Bassey and Akpoguma would have been more important to the team, than Ndah, especially with Ekong making too many elementary school errors in the defense, in his club in recent times, and even in the Super Eagles. Bassey plays as a Center back for his club and he has done that very well in his games for Rangers. The selections for the mid field and striking position are good, but that defense is going to be a major headache in Cameroon.
I think you're making sense about the choice of coach for the national team. I don't know
much about the coach they selected. But I know Amokachie will make a better coach base on his performance with Tanzania. Moreover, he's a no nonsense person. If we need discipline in the team he should be the person to consider. But we know Nigerians with their money mongering and politics. May God save our leaders