The Nigeria Football Federation has released the list of Super Eagles players that will be involved during the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, Soccernet.ng reports.
Head coach Finidi George has invited 23 players as Nigeria prepare to face South Africa and the Benin Republic next month.
Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, Bayer Leverkusen duo of Nathan Tella and Victor Boniface as well as AC Milan star Samuel Chukwueze make the list.
Man of the moment, Ademola Lookman is also in, a few hours after firing Atalanta BC to win the Europa League.
However, there are some notable omissions in the squad of three goalkeepers, six defenders, six midfielders, and eight forwards.
Team captain Ahmed Musa does not make the squad just as he missed the friendly games against Ghana and Mali in March.
Musa is presently without a club and his time with the Super Eagles may have ended at the AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire.
AFCON’s Most Valuable Player Williams Troost-Ekong will likely not recover in time from the injury he picked at the continental tournament as he has been left out
Strangely, Kenneth Omeruo is not among the defenders in Finidi’s squad, which is a surprise as his experience would have been an added advantage with Troost-Ekong not available.
Cyriel Dessers will be disappointed that he did not make the roster as he was one of those who did well during the last international break.
He has scored goals aplenty for Rangers FC and would have looked forward to finally making his competitive debut for the African vice-champions.
Joe Aribo has been a man reborn for Southampton since his return from the AFCON. However, his best form in the Championship has not impressed coach Finidi enough.
Calvin Bassey is the only natural left-footer among the defenders invited, making the omission of both Jamilu Collins and Bruno Onyemaechi a surprise.
On the right flank, there will be no Ola Aina, who has been one of the standout players for struggling Nottingham Forest. In his stead, Remo Stars ace Sodiq Ismael has been invited to deputize Bright Osayi-Samuel.
Real Sociedad striker Umar Sadiq will not be shocked he is left out as he is even out of favour at his Spanish club.
Taiwo Awoniyi has only just returned from injury and that may be the reason why Finidi has decided to go with Kelechi Iheanacho who has not played much for Leicester City this year.
Top Super Eagles stars unavailable for World Cup qualifiers:
1. Taiwo Awoniyi
2. Umar Sadiq
3. Ola Aina
4. Jamilu Collins
5. Bruno Onyemaechi
6. Joe Aribo
7. Cyriel Dessers
8. Kenneth Omeruo
9. William Troost-Ekong
10. Ahmed Musa
Nigeria is just too blessed with good players,even with the inclusion of a goalkeeper to make it a team. In fact, these players can hold their heads high in any competitive match.
NFF and a good coach is our football bane,but with free hand l believe Finidi can springs a glaring surprise.
No talk too much the squad is okay like that
What Finidi needs now is players loyalty and motivation. The squad is good and can deliver at any time but without the aforementioned, they will struggle. Finidi is lucky to have Benjamin James in his team of coaches who is very naturally blessed with motivational skills. I wish the team all the best in their quest for success.
Emmanuel Adamawa.
Finidi please bring in Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze and Karim Adeyemi. thank you sir and thank you NFF.