In just about 8 weeks time, the 2022 Qatar World Cup would have mercifuly ended, thereby paving the way for the 2023 International football season.
Obviously Nigeria is not going to thetournament, so one has to look at this list released for the friendly against Portugal and the outcome of this week’s friendly against Costa Rica as a sort of barometer of what to expect from the Super Eagles in the next 12 months.Salisu Yusuf’s lads played very well.
A few players from that Costa Rica encounter caught the eye as they provided encouragement of what to potentially expect from a second-string Super Eagles and the Under-23 team next year. As per this list by Peseiro, it is a strong and supremely satisfactory list.
Apart from the goalkeeping department which continues to be very problematic, the other areas have players that can definitely turbocharge the Super Eagles into a prosperous 2023.
But, away from the list, Peseiro’s team is yet to settle into his 4-4-2 Formation. Eguavoen tinkered with a 4-1-4-1 formula against Ghana in the second leg of the world cup qualifier against Ghana in Abuja.
It will be interesting to see if Peseiro too will try this formula. I think it holds a huge potential for the crop of players at our disposal.This list has competent and robust defence, a tried and tested midfield apparatus, jet propulsion on the wings and a razor sharp attack.
That said, players like Samuel Chukwueze, Joe Aribo, Frank Onyeka and Tyrone Ebuehi are long overdue for imposing and compelling performances in Super Eagles colours if selected against Portugal. If they only muster workaday, passable performances, then, clamour for other players to take their place will start to ring loud.
And there are veritable options out there.
2023 beckons. There is a new NFF administration and Jose Peseiro is still relatively new in his role as Super Eagles coach. Where will the Super Eagles be this time next year?The journey starts now; the Super Eagles have to turn up against Portugal so as to restore confidence and pride back in the brand.
Despite the 2:0 defeat Costa Rica, Salisu’s team performed in a manner that provided hope and optimistism. It’s now up to Iwobi and Co to deliver the goods against Portugal. Next Thursday is just round the corner!
Super Eagles List
Goalkeepers: Maduka Okoye (Watford FC, England); Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Adebayo Adeleye (Hapoel Jerusalem, Israel)
Goalkeepers:
Maduka Okoye (Watford FC, England); Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Adebayo Adeleye (Hapoel Jerusalem, Israel)
Defenders:
William Troost-Ekong (Watford FC, England); Olisa Ndah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa); Calvin Bassey (Ajax FC, The Netherlands); Kevin Akpoguma (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany); Chidiebube Duru (Rivers United); Tyronne Ebuehi (Empoli FC, Italy); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Bright Osayi Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey)
Midfielders:
Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Oghenekaro Etebo (Aris Thessaloniki, Greece)
Forwards:
Moses Simon (Nantes FC, France); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Terem Moffi (Lorient FC, France); Paul Onuachu (Genk FC, Belgium); Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy); Emmanuel Dennis (Nottingham Forest, England)
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