Complete Sports takes a look at Seven players that will be gunning for their Super Eagles debut when Nigeria take on Cote d’lvoire and Tunisia in the forthcoming international friendly games scheduled for next month.
Coach Gernot Rohr in a bid to further strengthen the Eagles squad named the seven new players in a 25-man-squad that also had some fringe and regular players.
Belgium-based striker, Cyril Dessers leads the pack with Russia based forward Chidera Ejuke; Slovakia-based goalkeeper Matthew Yakubu; Portugal-based defender Zaidu Sanusi, while midfield duo of Denmark-based Frank Onyeka and Austria-based Samson Tijani complete the list.
Fringe Eagles stars named in the squad include goalkeepers Dele Alampasu and Maduka Okoye both with one cap each and midfielder Mikel Agu who is returning to the squad having previously won seven caps.
The Super Eagles, now ranked 29th in the world and third in Africa, will take on the Elephants on 9th October and four days later, will engage the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia, who are second in Africa in the rankings.
Also Read – Rohr: How I Convinced Akpoguma To Choose Nigeria Over Germany
Both games have been arranged by the Nigeria Football Federation to prepare the Eagles for the next round of 2022 AFCON qualifiers home and away against Sierra Leone in November.
THE SEVEN UNCAPPED PLAYERS
Cyriel DESSERS (KRC Genk, Belgium)
Date of birth: Dec 8, 1994 (25)
Position: Centre-forward
Dessers will finally get the chance to make his Super Eagles debut which had previously been delayed by the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.
The striker who scored 15 goals in 26 games for Heracles Almelo last season is now with Genk and already has two goals to his credit in five appearances in the new season.
Chidera EJUKE (CSKA Moscow, Russia)
Date of birth: Jan 2, 1998 (22)
Position: Left Winger
The former junior international had a splendid season last term scoring nine goals in 25 appearances for Heerenveen in the Dutch League.
The forward adept at playing on the left or right-wing has now moved to CSKA Moscow in Russia where he already has one goal to his credit in three games in the new season.
Mathew YAKUBU (SKF Sered, Slovakia)
Date of birth: Mar 9,1999 (21)
Position: Goalkeeper
The search for a capable goalkeeper to man the posts for the Eagles unearthed relatively unknown Yakubu currently based in Slovakia.
The 21-year old keeper has made three clean sheets while conceding two goals in four appearances for Sered so far this season.
He made his professional Fortuna Liga debut for SKF Sered’ against FC ViOn Zlaté Moravce on 11 July 2020.
Also Read: Nigerian Winger Marvin Relishes ‘Unforgettable’ Debut For Real Madrid
Zaidu SANUSI ( FC Porto, Portugal)
Date of birth: Jun 13, 1997 (23)
Position: Left-Back
Portugal-based left-back, Sanusi is another unknown quality being unearthed as coach Rohr looks to beef up the Eagles defence line.
Sanusi starred for Santa Clara last season making 24 appearances and scoring one goal. His impressive display has seen him move to FC Porto where he has played one game in the new season.
He joined the Portuguese champions in August this year.
Frank ONYEKA (Club: FC Midtiylland, Denmark)
Date of birth: Jan 1, 1998 (22)
Position: Defensive Midfield
22-year old Onyeka is relatively unknown back home but is one of the rising youngsters in Denmark where he has played through the ranks and now stars for Midtjylland’s first team.
The former FC Ebedei star has started the new season on a bright note bagging an assist in his first two games of the season.
Samson TIJANI (TSV Hartberg, Austria)
Date of birth: May 17, 2002 (18)
Position: Defensive Midfield
The former Golden Eaglets captain was snapped up by Austria top side, Red Bull Salzburg following his promising display at the last FIFA U-17 World Cup held in Brazil last year.
The 18-year old midfielder is currently on loan at Hartberg where he has featured in two games in the new season.
Dele ALAMPASU (FK Ventspils, Latvia)
Date of birth: Dec 24, 1996 (23)
Position: Goalkeeper
Former junior international, Alampasu is yet to make an official debut for the Super Eagles despite getting dressed on seven occasions for the national team.
What would have been his debut was the international friendly game between Nigeria and Togo ON june 1,2017 at the Stade Municipal in France.Nigeria won the match 3-0 courtesy or goals from Kelechi Iheanacho (2) and Ahmed Musa, but the game was not sanctioned by FIFA.
13 Comments
Mehn! As long as chidera Ejuke is in this list im happy! Its about time we have wingers who can score goals regularly. Don’t get me wrong I really like chukwueze’s dazzling displays but the brother doesnt score enough goals for someone with his enormous talents.
But now we have Ejuke whom I hope will start on the left so he can cut in on to his stronger right foot and unleash those accurate shots that will turn into goals.
Kalu will have to play on the right, while chukwueze and simon can come in, In the second half.
Great times!, Great times!!
We honestly need tested and trusted men in the middle….we need to beef up that part of the team. I know of Iwobi, Etebo, Indidi et al and the ranger guy but I think some efforts should not be pared in luring Eze and Saka to the team…!
Make una try. E no easy. Your chance to impress has arrived!
7 Players Targeting Strong Super Eagles Outings against CIV and
_Tunisia_
With competition for places hotting up in the Super Eagles, 7 potential debutants will be hoping to post powerful performances if selected in any of the upcoming friendlies.
Coach Gernot Rohr has been slowly and methodically moulding the Super Eagles into an outfit capable of causing seismic shock in world football in the coming 2 seasons.
The following 7 invitees would be hoping to be part of the history makers. But what are the chances of each of them cementing a place in the emerging star-studded Super Eagles squad?
Let’s examine this.
1)Cyriel Dessers: he will hope his club fortunes improve in coming weeks if he is to attract future Super Eagles invitation. On this occasion, the form he showed last season suggests that he can post a convincing performance if selected to strut his stuff against Ivory Coast or Tunisia.
Verdict: As a centre forward, Dessers faces stiff competition to cement a place in the Super Eagles squad moving forward. But, as already noted, his goals and assists stats will need to pick up in Belgium and fast to continue to attract future invitations.
2)Chidera Ejuke: having already hit the ground running in Russia, Ejuke will be hoping to replicate the same output for Nigeria if selected for any of the matches. The winger is an exciting prospect who adds dribbling abilities with incisive wing play which allows him to slice through defences with near-relative ease.
Verdict: the Super Eagles rarely lacks speedsters however strong showings for Ejuke in these friendlies with consistency in club football might well make him a constant feature in Super Eagles lists moving forward.
3)Matthew Yakubu: Fans have been raving about this young net-minder on social media leading up to his shock invitation to the Super Eagles. Having already shown in Slovakia that he can step up to the plate in senior football, he might yet get the opportunity to show his Super Eagles supporters what he is made of in national colours if selected for any of the friendlies.
Verdict: Football’s capacity to suprise never diminishes however Yakubu might just see his Super Eagles chances shrink once the trio of Uzoho, Akpeyi and Ezenwa return to active club duties.
4) Zaidu Sanusi: from obscurity to imminent stardom, very many pundits are banking of Sanusi to take the Super Eagles by storm with a maiden performance that could see him usurp the left fullback position. Clips of his blistering pace and all round play in the Portuguese Primera Liga have left fans yearning to see him bring stability and bite to the Super Eagles left back position.
Verdict: Sanusi has a very high possibility of being a regular Super Eagle in next 2 seasons. He plays in a position that still needs viable options.
5) Frank Onyeka: this young bright precocious prospect is seen as one for the distant future. As a Centre/Defensive midfielder, he is in a department of some truly ‘heavyweights’. Ndidi, Aribo, Etebo, Azeez and Agu aren’t going anywhere soon. Meaning, he is here for the experience.
Verdict: it is hard to see Onyeka displace any options ahead of him in the midfield at the moment. However, a strong showing in any of the friendlies will keep him within range of future invitations.
6) Samson Tijani: the youngster will look back at this time in years to come with gratitude to those who gave him the opportunity to mingle with Superstar Super Eagles players at this stage of his development.
Verdict: Sampson is here for the ride. However, so was Osimhen not so long ago; see where Osimhen is now!
7) Dele Alampasu: Having conceded 5 goals in his team’s awful Europa League defeat recently, Alampasu would have been relieved that his Super Eagles invitation was already signed, sealed and delivered before that calamity.
He would have gone to the world cup instead of his compatriot in 2018 but limited game-time in Spain at the time was his undoing.
Now back playing regularly in Latvia, Alampasu will hope to re-take the shirt that was once almost his, starting with credible and flamboyant showings if selected in the October friendlies.
Verdict: the goalkeeping department of the Super Eagles appears established if the regulars play active club football. Alampasu still has it all to do to stake a claim as one of the three Super Eagles goalkeepers into the next 2 seasons.
Me feel Zaidu, Ejuke, Dessers and Alampasu have the opportunity to cement their places in the SuperEagles with this upcoming friendlies. Our topmost goalkeeper based on league and club is Okoye. Based on pedigree Uzoho and Alampasu have a little edge. I think the days of Akpeyi and Ezenwa are numbered in this present SuperEagles. At best one of them can pass to be the third choice going forward. However, Okoye needs to be commanding regular first choice shirt at Sparta to be relevant with this setup. Yakubu will be there for the experience.
Ejuke and Zaidu are two quality additions that can give the SuperEagles an identity going forward. A quality left back and a mesmerizing winger. How well they can take advantage of this opportunity will depend on their desire to put on the green and white. Dessers will have the chance to show if he can Either be a viable backup to Osimhen or play with Osimhen in a twin attack going forward. The two Rookies Tijani and Onyeka are coming for the opportunity to rob shoulders with the senior team whereby anything can happen.
The battle for spots will now be getting hotter from here on. While I’m still cautiously optimistic I think this team over the next two years have a chance to stand among the elite teams in the world. It’s been a long time coming as they haven’t played for about a year, but we can feel a glimpse of things to come as our darling SuperEagles embark on a marathon of important qualifiers leading to the AFCON and the WorldCup.
Bro u are right, pls watch out for Onyeka too, I think Nigerians will be surprised by this boy. Has the potential to be a very good DM, but u know Nigerian players you can’t hail them too much.
I thought the coach should have called up Ejaria to switch things up in the attacking midfield dept. where we have only Iwobi. Unless his papers are not ready yet.
I really don’t buy into too much DM since we are majorly suffering from lack of good offensive midfielders.
Golden Eaglets coach – Fatai Amoo
Flying Eagles coach – Ladan Bosso
So these are the coaches Philips Consulting chose for NFF after over 1 year of screening…..? Unless someone is trying to do april fool in the month of september
I still dey laugh…….LMAO.
Hahaha.. hahahaha. Oboy abeg wake I n I up quickly. This dream scares..lolz laddan Bosso n Fatai Amoo eh? amongst all the brilliant young coaches springing up. After Rohr finishes it’s tenure, it will make sense to just look away from Nigeria football and focus on something better cos he and SE are the only shinning light of our football at the moment. So I m just going to enjoy it while it last with Rohr and SE. God help us.
Hahahahaha….if we didnt cry out, is that not how they would have made someone who isnt even a coach yet the coach of the SE eagles…??? LMAO. Uncle Sege was even writing prologues about how “fitting” it would be weeks before the appointment was announced. Till today they have still not told us those who applied, those who were shortlisted and those who were eventually interviewed before the appointment was made. And bam…all of a sudden the 2 coaches who publicly backed the show of shame have also landed national team jobs….such a coincidence. I dont want to even assume that these 2 appointments are rewards to both coaches for supporting NFF on Yobo’s appointment. I am not willing to believe NFF has descended so low. Phillips Consulting and PWC definitely have a lot of explanations to do….Lolz.
Chineke!!! Oturugbeke! Osanobua! Oluwa oo! Pinnick, how much you pay Phillip Consulting for this ‘difficult’ but ‘groundbreaking’ work of ‘unearthing’ these rare gem duo? Wonderment of the highest order.
Pinnick, dey prepare your book o. EFCC go check am las las.
My broda d tin tire me ooo. Recycling coaches with nothing to offer, these guys are dinosaur when it comes to football. Did the likes of Finidi and co say they aren’t interested or did the long process of deciding the coaches turn them away? We all know how NFF always do fire brigade things and many of these ex players may not be willing to deal with that. Bcos the standard that we have set as regards to NFF is so low we are just hapi that they the positions have been filled. It’s only in 9ja that a list of coaches and players are announced and there is no press conference where journalists can ask questions we fans and journalists alike have. Questioning the coach about lists submitted is a healthy way of creating transparency, reasoning for player selection, and healthy competition amongst players. Answering questions about coaches appointment will be make the NFF a better organization as transparency. Just saying.
Wonders shall never end. If they are the best we can offer we wait and see