With excitement already building in the new season, a number of Nigerian players are pushing hard for recognition at the international level.
Completesports.com’s ADEBOYE AMOSU lists eight players who might have caught the attention of the Super Eagles’ technical crew…
Josh Maja (West Brom)
The 25-year-old has bounced back from the injury that marred his first season at Sky Bet Championship club West Bromwich Albion.
The former Girondins Bordeaux player managed only 12 appearances last term, with just one goal to his name.
This season, he has been in scintillating form, netting seven goals in eight league appearances for Albion.
The one-cap Super Eagles striker is also currently the Sky Bet Championship’s leading scorer.
Tolu Arokodare (Genk)
Tolu Arokodare has been one of KRC Genk’s standout performers in the Belgian Pro League this season. The forward is a key reason why the Smurfs are currently top of the standings.
The 23-year-old has scored six goals in nine league outings for Thorsten Fink’s side.
He is currently the joint-top scorer in the Belgian top division, alongside Sporting Charleroi’s Daan Heymans.
Victor Olatunji (Sparta Prague)
The tall forward was virtually unknown in Nigeria until his recent impressive UEFA Champions League performance for Czech Republic side Sparta Prague.
Olatunji registered a goal and an assist in Sparta Prague’s 3-0 win over Austrian club Salzburg last month.
The 25-year-old made history as the third African to score and register an assist on his Champions League debut.
He has also scored three goals in eight league appearances for Sparta Prague this term.
Tom Dele-Bashiru (Watford)
The former Flying Eagles midfielder has been a consistent performer for Sky Bet Championship club Watford this season.
Injuries have limited his growth in recent years, but he has been able to stay fit this season.
The 25-year-old has scored twice in seven outings for the Hornets.
Christantus Uche (Getafe)
The 21-year-old joined La Liga side Getafe from Spanish Division 3 side AD Ceuta this summer.
The midfielder scored on his La Liga debut for Getafe against Athletic Bilbao in August.
He was voted Getafe’s Player of the Month for August.
Anas Yusuf (Nasarawa United)
Anas Yusuf is currently the leading scorer in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) with five goals from four games.
The striker is the first player to score a hat-trick in the NPFL this season.
He is a powerful and balanced striker with excellent shooting technique.
Jerome Adams (Montpellier)
The former Flying Eagles striker was touted for a Super Eagles invitation early last season after his impressive start at Ligue 1 club Montpellier. He scored eight goals in 32 league appearances for the club.
Adams has started the new campaign strongly, registering three goals in six games.
Gabriel Osho (Auxerre)
The Auxerre defender was invited for the Super Eagles’ international friendlies against Ghana and Mali in March. However, injury prevented him from making his debut for the three-time African champions.
Osho has put himself in the spotlight again with impressive displays for Auxerre this season.
5 Comments
Please how on Earth can we get Ethan nwaneri to play for super eagle s..dat guy is the missing Link we have been looking for in our middle
Five forwards in your list. Is the author not aware the Super Eagles are “awash” with the “best attacking talents” in the continent? Which one here will unseat several non performing principalities in the team currently, more so as the world cup most of the light weight attackers are flunking the qualifiers with their very substandard performances is very close?
Where’s is chidera ejike in your list?
Seven goals in eight matches Josh the hitman firing on all cylinders to help westbrom gain promotion to epl.he should be invited to the super eagles.Iheanacho is currently battling goal droughts in Spain. Boniface is battling goal drought in Nigeria colour. Osimehn doubtful for the two matches the coach Eguavinho Cerezo should invite the duo of Josh Maja and Tolu Arokodinho.
Until we begin to do things by merit in this country we won’t really make a headway.
I can’t believe awoniyi and ihenacho will be invited ahead of arokodare and desser. And how on earth will you invite tanimu ahead of Osho.
Wonders shall never end.