The Super Eagles of Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, and they might miss the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico if they don’t overturn a poor start to their qualifying campaign after securing just to points from their first two qualifying games.
However, with the next set of fixtures approaching against South Africa and Benin Republic, Nigeria has appointed a new coach in former international Finidi George, who has called up players for the crucial fixtures. Unfortunately, he will be without Napoli striker Victor Osimhen.
Osimhen scored 15 goals and three assists in 25 La Liga games for Napoli this season.
Victor Osimhen was confirmed ruled out of the games on Tuesday due to injury, and it was revealed in a statement by the Nigeria Football Federation on social media that he will be out for four weeks with Nigeria professional football league side Enugu Rangers left-back Kenneth Igboke called up to replace him. Enugu Rangers are the current league leaders of Nigeria’s top-flight League.
Nigeria Eagles will host South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, on June 7 and then travel for an away match against Benin Republic on June 10.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Ojo Olorunleke (Enyimba FC)
Defenders: Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista FC, Portugal); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); Sadiq Ismael (Remo Stars FC); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Benjamin Tanimu (Ihefu SC, Tanzania); Kenneth Igboke (Enugu Rangers).
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (Royal Antwerp FC, Belgium); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Hatayspor, Turkey)
Forwards: Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France)
