Nigeria did not qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup after falling at the final hurdle to eternal rivals Ghana in March
After three consecutive participation in 2010, 2014, and 2018, Nigeria will not be at the 2022 FIFA World Cup after losing out to the Black Stars of Ghana in the final qualifying playoffs.
Countries that qualified for the 2022 Mundial in Qatar have been releasing their squad list for the tournament ahead of FIFA’s November 14 deadline.
But which of Nigeria’s army of talented players would have made the Super Eagles’ 26-man list had the three-time African champions booked a ticket to Qatar 2022? Soccernet.ng’s Imhons Erons makes the picks.
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Omonia Nicosia), Maduka Okoye (Watford), Adebayo Adeleye (Hapoel Jerusalem)
An unpleasantly easy choice to make for the pair of gloves between the goalposts.
Okoye and Uzoho (until recently) have lacked game time for their clubs in England and Cypriot, respectively, and would have made the list regardless due to a lack of Nigerian goalkeeping options in Europe.
Adeleye, though, has impressed in Israel and deserves his recent call-ups.
Defenders: Tyronne Ebuehi (Empoli), Kevin Akpoguma (Hoffenheim), William Troost-Ekong (Watford), Kenneth Omeruo (Leganes), Leon Balogun (QPR), Semi Ajayi (West Brom), Calvin Bassey (Ajax), Chidozie Awaziem (Hajduk Split)
Injuries have knocked out some of Nigeria’s best full-backs, with the likes of Jamilu Collins, Ola Aina, and Zaidu Sanusi presently unavailable.
Ebuehi and Akpoguma at right-back, with Calvin Bassey and Chidozie Awaziem as left-back options, would still be decent alternatives.
Balogun’s experience, Omeruo’s tenacity, Troost-Ekong’s energy, and Ajayi’s solidity tip selection in their favour over South Africa-based Olisa Ndah and Sochaux’s Valentine Ozornwafor.
Midfielders: (captain) Ahmed Musa (Sivasspor), Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City), Oghenekaro Etebo (Aris FC), Frank Onyeka (Brentford), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge), Alex Iwobi (Everton), Joe Aribo (Southampton), Moses Simon (Nantes), Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal), Ademola Lookman Atalanta), Emmanuel Dennis (Nottingham Forest)
In defensive midfield, Ndidi, Onyeka, and Onyedika provide adequate cover for the defence. Etebo, Iwobi, and Aribo set up further forward to lit the creative spark for the attack.
Out on the right flank, Chukwueze and Dennis are two of Nigeria’s best flying forwards on their day. While on the opposite flank, Moses Simon and Ademola Lookman can torment opposing fullbacks all match long.
The four wingers are versatile enough to swap positions in-game, providing the manager with numerous tactical tweak options.
Forwards: Victor Osimhen (Napoli), Paul Onuachu (KRC Genk), Terem Moffi (Lorient), Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest)
Qatar 2022 would have been the Victor Osimhen World Cup, and it is left to the imagination how much damage he would have caused teams as Nigeria’s first-choice striker.
The Napoli man would have had able deputies in the prolific duo of Onuachu and Moffi.
Forest’s Awoniyi completes a fearsome-looking attack that could have been one of Nigeria’s best at the World Cup ever.
Kelechi Iheanacho has regressed at Leicester City this season, and he misses out. Cyriel Dessers and Umar Sadiq are out injured.
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Omonia Nicosia), Maduka Okoye (Watford), Adebayo Adeleye (Hapoel Jerusalem)
Defenders: Tyronne Ebuehi (Empoli), Kevin Akpoguma (Hoffenheim), William Troost-Ekong (Watford), Kenneth Omeruo (Leganes), Leon Balogun (QPR), Semi Ajayi (West Brom), Calvin Bassey (Ajax), Chidozie Awaziem (Hajduk Split)
Midfielders: (captain) Ahmed Musa (Sivasspor), Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City), Oghenekaro Etebo (Aris FC), Frank Onyeka (Brentford), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge), Alex Iwobi (Everton), Joe Aribo (Southampton), Moses Simon (Nantes), Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal), Ademola Lookman (Atalanta), Emmanuel Dennis (Nottingham Forest)
Forwards: Victor Osimhen (Napoli), Paul Onuachu (KRC Genk), Terem Moffi (Lorient), Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest)
Standby List
Kayode Bankole
Olisa Ndah
Alhassan Yusuf
David Okereke
Chidera Ejuke
Henry Onyekuru
This post was last modified on November 12, 2022 7:23 am
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Perhaps coach Peseiro would have explioted the possibility of having Caleb Okoli and other players with Nigerian ancestry in his squad. Kingsley Ehizuibe of Udinese would have added much quality.
That would have been interesting. Players like Destiny Udogie, Jordan Torunarigha, Eberechi Eze, and Michael Olise, among others would have provided a larger pool to select from.