With the appointment and recent unveiling of former Super Eagles wing wizard, Finidi George as Super Eagles head coach, the immediate task is to qualify Nigeria for the 2026 world cup and 2025 Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
In doing this, Finidi needs to rejig the national team by beefing up areas which are weak and therefore needs strengthening, while also bringing in new additions he thinks can add value to the team.
In this article, the focus is on 7 players that Finidi should consider for call up due to their sterling performances for their respective clubs this season, which if they can translate to the national team will be very helpful.
Some of them are not new to the national team set up as they have been in and out but deserves a recall, why some are totally new but has done well enough to merit a look in.
The Eagles will face the Bafana Bafana of South Africa on June 7 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. They will then travel to Ivory Coast to face Gernot Rohr’s Squirrels of Benin Republic at the Felix-Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, on June 10.
The encounters will be Finidi’s first assignment with the Super Eagles following his appointment as Jose Peseiro’s successor on a one-year contract.
Nigeria surprisingly are without a win in the World Cup qualifiers having drawn 1-1 against Lesotho and Zimbabwe in their Group C matches.
In Group C of the CAF World Cup qualifiers, Rwanda are run away leaders at the top of the table with four points from two games while South Africa are second with three points.
The Super Eagles are placed third on the log with two points after two games alongside Lesotho and Zimbabwe, while Benin are rooted to the bottom with a point.
The top-placed team in the group will automatically qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico while the four best runners-up will compete in play-offs to determine Africa’s representative at the inter-confederation playoffs.
1. Maduka Okoye Udinese: He has been in commanding form since joining the Italian side from Watford in 2022. He opted out of the last AFCON tournament to concentrate on his club football which paid off as he became Udinese first choice goalkeeper most of the season making 19 starts. Okoye sure deserves a recall and a place in the Eagles goalkeeping department despite being away from the national team for nearly a year to challenge Stanley Nwabili for the number shirt. He is the only Nigerian goal keeper enjoying regular action in a top European club this season which helps his case.
2. Chidera Ejuke Royal Antwerp: Ejuke has been on fire for Antwerp this season following a loan move from Russian side, CSKA Moscow due to the Russia/Ukraine war. The high flying winger has played 29 matches this season with 4 goals and 4 assists. He was left out of the AFCON squad to Cote d’Ivoire and has not enjoyed invitation to the national team for sometime now. A recall for Ejuke back to the Eagles won’t be a bad idea.
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3. Chuba Akpom Ajax: After a slow start to life in Netherlands, Akom eventually came good with. 24 matches under his belt scoring 15 goals with 3 assists. Akpom was the MVP at the English championship before moving to Ajax. The striker has since completed his switch of allegiance from England to Nigeria having featured for the country of his birth at age competition. He will be a valuable asset if invited.
4. Hamdi Akujobi Almere city: Akujobi has had a blistering season with Dutch Eredivisie side, Almere city, picking some MVP awards in the process. The flying wing back who was pecked back by injuries enjoyed good consistent form in his return which has seen many top clubs in Europe seeking after his signature. He can play both as a right wing back or left wing back to underline his versatility. With 22 matches this season and 2 assists Akujobi deserves a call for his outstanding performances this season.
5. Tosin Adarabioyo Fulham: Adarabioyo maintained a great partnership with compatriot, Kelvin Bassey through out the season. This is good for the Eagles because understanding is very important in defending and playing together regularly helps to achieve this. The centre back has made 20 appearances this season with 2 goals which is very impressive.
6. Nathan Tella Bayer Leverkusen: Tella played a very crucial role in Leverkusen’s unbeaten run this season in Europe. The offensive midfielder who can also play as a right winger made 24 appearances scoring 5 goals with 2 assists. With the Eagles lacking a creative midfielder Tella will be very valuable to the team.
7. Gabriel Osho Luton Town: Osho has been excellent for Luton this season. The dependable defender played 20 matches this season scoring 2 goals. Osho will be a good fit for the Eagles.
