Coach Salisu Yusuf has now released his initial deadly squad of 33 players for the make or mar double header Chan qualifiers against Ghana later in the month.
The first leg will be played on the 28th of August while the return leg in Abuja will hold on 3rd September.
Some of the marquee inclusions in the list are Olorunleke Ojo, Ebube Duru, Nathaniel Nwosu and Chijoke Akuneto.
Many fans and stakeholders criticise the NFF for not opening the camp earlier and for not organising high profile friendlies for the team. Their opponents Ghana have been playing competitive fixtures for some weeks now, so they definitely have an edge over Nigeria.
Despite the late preparations, I am having a good feeling about this fixture. Regardless of how it goes, I think Yusuf’s boys will put up a spirited performance.
No thanks to the NFF for their fire brigade approach towards preparing the team for this qualifiers but we are where we are.
The domestic league is up and running so these home-based lads should not suffer match rustiness.
What is left is for Yusuf to work on his drills and select the right players to maximise the possibilities in his approach.
Time is tight, shame on the NFF but anything can happen.
Good luck to the homebased Super Eagles.
ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS:
Goalkeepers: Victor Sochima (Rivers United); Adeyinka Adewale (Akwa United); Ojo Olorunleke (Enyimba FC); Nathaniel Nwosu (Flying Eagles)
Defenders: Tope Olusesi (Rangers Int’l); Kazie Enyinnaya (Rivers United); Sani Faisal (Katsina United); Samson Gbadebo (Akwa United); Ebube Duru (Rivers United); Christopher Nwaeze (Akwa United); Isa Ali (Remo Stars); Tosin Adegbite (Enyimba FC); Temple Emekayi (Rivers United); Andrew Ikefe (Plateau United)
Midfielders: Babatunde Bello (Akwa United); Philip Ozor (Enyimba FC); Maurice Chukwu (Rivers United); Hafeez Nosiru (Kwara United); Zulkifilu Mohammed (Plateau United); Chiamaka Madu (Rivers United); Jide Fatokun (Kwara United); Kenechukwu Agu (Rangers Int’l); Joseph Onoja (Rivers United); Haggai Katoh (Plateau United); Uche Onwuasonaya (Rivers United)
Forwards: Abdulazeez Yusuf (Gombe United); Sadiq Abubakar (Enyimba FC); Chidiebere Nwobodo (Rangers Int’l); Promise Amadi (Akwa United); Chijioke Akuneto (Rivers United); Valentine Odoh (Abia Warriors); Andy Okpe (Remo Stars); Adams Yakubu (Akwa United); Godspower Aniefiok (Kano Pillars); Ossy Martins (Rangers Int’l)
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