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The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have invited 26 players ahead of the upcoming Super Eagles games against Ghana and Mali later this month, Soccernet.ng reports.
On March 22 and 26, the Super Eagles will file out for action for the first time since their disappointing 2-1 loss to Ivory Coast in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on February 11.
Initially, there were plans for the Super Eagles to take on El Salvador and Argentina in friendly games, but the games were canceled.
However, the NFF have now secured two other friendly games for Nigeria as they will play close rivals Ghana, and Mali later this month.
Ahead of the fixtures the NFF have announced a list of 26 players, with Luton Town star Gabriel Osho and Tanzania-based Benjamin Tianimu getting their first national team call-up, while Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Cyriel Dessers, and Wilfred Ndidi return to the team after missing out on the AFCON. Notably, captain Ahmed Musa was left out.
Full list
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Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Ojo Olorunleke (Enyimba FC).
Defenders: Gabriel Osho (Luton FC, England); Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista FC, Portugal); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); Tyronne Ebuehi (Empoli FC, Italy); BrunoOnyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa FC, Turkey); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Jamilu Collins (Cardiff City, Wales); BenjaminTianimu (Ihefu SC, Tanzania)
Forwards: Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen Germany); Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy)Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman(Atalanta FC, Italy); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru(Hatayspor, Turkey); Taiwo Awoniyi (NottinghamForest, England); Cyriel Dessers (GlasgowRangers, Scotland).
Despite the friendly arrangements, the NFF is yet to appoint a new Super Eagles coach. The international break will start in less than two weeks, and the NFF have to make a decision soon.
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Get amuneke Emmanuel ASAP let us see him with these friendly matches first hand, let us observe him before he signs the contract… or if the Nff is as confused as ever and as usually so, then they should appoint finidi ASAP let him audition with these friendly games. my own opinion is that based on continuity, get amuneke and finidi as head coach and assistant respectively. No time for jamboree applications and searching up and down when a serious Nff should remember that June is coming fast fast o.
Anunike and finidi will be good for the job, let us try our local coaches once again, we have talented players, but I don’t know why iwobi was left out in this list,