Nigeria will kick off their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with games against the Benin Republic and Rwanda within the first ten days in September.
With barely three weeks before the clash against the Squirrels at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, the Super Eagles remain without a head coach.
Recent reports suggest that the NFF is set to appoint former Sweden manager Janne Andersson to take charge of the three-time African champions.
Soccernet.ng’s Imhons Erons present a capable 24-man squad that coach Anderrson, or anyone for that matter, can count on to fire the Super Eagles to victory against Benin and Rwanda.
Nigeria’s best goalkeepers at the moment remain Chippa United’s Stanley Nwabali and Udinese’s Maduka Okoye and it is only appropriate that they make the team.
Francis Uzoho could be recalled as, agewise, he is a better understudy than Olorunleke Ojo.
Semi Ajayi has started the season well with West Bromwich Albion. Gabriel Osho left Luton Town to sign for AJ Auxerre this summer and he looks set to be a part of the Super Eagles setup.
Olisa Ndah has rediscovered his best form in South Africa and it could be time for the Orlando Pirates centre-back to add to his four caps for Nigeria.
William Troost-Ekong showed at the AFCON that he is the Super Eagles’ best defender and if fit, he should be invited to provide direction and leadership to the team.
Save for one momentary loss of concentration, Calvin Bassey did great for Fulham against Manchester United on day one of the Premier League.
Nigeria’s options at leftback are currently limited and Bassey should be deployed to cover that area alongside Boavista man Bruno Onyemaechi.
Injury forced out Ola Aina during Nottingham Forest’s clash with Bournemouth on Saturday but he should have enough time to recover.
If the former Chelsea man is sidelined, Remo Star’s Sadiq Ismail should be invited to deputise Bright Osayi-Samuel, who is expected to take his game to the next level at Fenerbahce under Jose Mourinho.
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru was one of Nigeria’s few bright lights during that dark period in June when the Super Eagles drew with South Africa and lost to Benin.
The 23-year-old has confirmed his high ratings by joining Serie A giants Lazio this summer. He is a welcome addition to the Super Eagles’ first eleven.
After a period of battling injury and poor form, Wilfred Ndidi is back to his best and his return to the Premier League with Leicester City should do his football a world of good.
Club Brugge ace Raphael Onyedika is slowly showing he merits a spot in the Super Eagles. The 23-year-old carries a significant goal threat and could be Nigeria’s new Sunday Oliseh.
Brentford star Frank Onyeka brings excellent qualities to Nigeria’s midfield even if his passing needs more polishing.
With Alhassan Yusuf leaving Europe for the less competitive demands of the United States, it is time to call on Getafe’s Chrisantus Uche.
The youngster excelled on his La Liga debut, with his physical presence, hunger to succeed, and ability in the air beneficial for the Super Eagles.
Atalanta Ademola Lookman could not produce his best moments for Nigeria in June or for Atalanta in the Super Cup clash against Real Madrid. Still, he has a point to prove that he has been Africa’s best this year.
Samuel Chukwueze has spent the past month under the tutelage of AC Milan boss Paolo Fonseca and he will need to come to show Benin and Rwanda what he has learnt so far.
Nantes star Moses Simon is back from the injury that kept him out of Nigeria’s last engagements and should be available.
Kelechi Ịheanachọ is embracing a new challenge in Spain with Sevilla and he should be in the right frame of mind for the Super Eagles.
Alex Iwobi remains Nigeria’s number-one creative outlet. Victor Boniface is back and better as he was on target as Bayer Leverkusen defeated VfB Stuttgart to win the German Super Cup on Saturday.
Victor Osimhen has not played any of Nigeria’s World Cup qualifiers but he should be on the roster for these AFCON qualifiers.
Osimhen has not played any game, friendly or competitive, for Napoli since coach Antonio Conte arrived but he has been involved in training sessions and should be in good shape.
Cyriel Dessers has been Nigeria’s most consistent goalscorer over the past two seasons and his recent displays for Rangers show he is a man in form.
Here is the predicted 24-man squad for Benin and Rwanda.
Stanley Nwabali
Maduka Okoye
Francis Uzoho
Semi Ajayi
Gabriel Osho
Olisa Ndah
William Troost-Ekong
Calvin Bassey
Bruno Onyemaechi
Sadiq Ismail
Bright Osayi-Samuel
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru
Wilfred Ndidi
Raphael Onyedika
Frank Onyeka
Chrisantus Uche
Ademola Lookman
Samuel Chukwueze
Kelechi Ịheanachọ
Alex Iwobi
Victor Boniface
Moses Simon
Victor Osimhen
Cyriel Dessers
NB: Which Nigerian player would you add to or remove from this list? Leave your answers in the comment section below.
This post was last modified on %s = human-readable time difference 2:38 pm
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View Comments
the creative attacker is a worry.
I don't know if a creative attacker should be afraid of shooting or playing long ball
if passing the ball to the next person in front means creative.. well. shud a a creative attack be. afraid of a fall or hard game .
again this defense that passes the ball to opponent. by mistake. we. don't see this in eagles before.
there are some goals a super eagles defense don't concede before but this days I don't know wat. is happening.
I'd remove Simon for ejuke and remove ihenacho for Elijah adebayo
We need Chidera Ejuke in the squad.... Michael Okwara