The Nigerian national football team’s (The Super Eagles) head coach, Grenot Rohr recently announced a 28 man squad for upcoming friendlies between Poland and Serbia later this month. The team included regulars, debutants a a recall from the international wilderness so I did a little research to find out the form each player is in and how well they’ve fared all season.
GOALKEEPERS
Francis Uzoho (Deportivo La Coruna, Spain): At just 19 years of age, Uzoho is the youngest member in the squad. He made history earlier in the season by being the youngest ever foreign debutant in La Liga and was subsequently called up to the Super Eagles squad were he impressed in his debut against Argentina in November. However, he has since been dropped to the reserve team by his club’s new manager, presumably due to his inability to effectively communicate in Spanish. A lot is still expected of the young shot stopper and Rohr would want to keep an eye on his development as he’s one for the future.
Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Enyimba FC): He remains Nigeria’s first choice, for now though, as Rohr is Unsure who will be the number one at the World Cup. Ezemwa is also one of just two home based players in the Nigerian squad. He is the undisputed first choice at Enyimba F.C. He may posses quick reflexes but his eccentricities does get the better of him sometimes and he occasionally struggles to deal with high balls, therefore, the upcoming friendlies will be a chance to show Rohr he has improved in that regard
Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United, South Africa): Truth is, the constant presence of Akpeyi in the Nigerian squad is strong evidence that we are desperately short of top class goalkeepers. The 31 year old currently plays for a team placed 12th in the South African premier league and has not impressed in any of his three Super Eagles appearances. However, he does have high hopes of making the World Cup squad and believes closer attention should be paid to his strengths. He has played in all his team’s league matches this season, conceding 21 goals in 23 games.
DEFENDERS
Abdullahi Shehu (Bursaspor FC, Turkey): Nigeria’s first choice right back throughout the World Cup qualifying, the much travelled 24 year old moved to his current club in January and has started 6 league games since then but has predominantly played as a central midfielder.
Tyronne Ebuehi (Ado Den Haag, The Netherlands): The 22 year old right back has shown alot of promise this season. He has featured 25 times the Eredivisie and was linked with a move to Benfica in January.
Olaoluwa Aina (Hull City, England): Another young Nigerian player who is showing great progress. The 21 year old Chelsea loanee has been a shining light in a rather disappointing Hull side his versatility could see him deployed at left back despite being a natural right back.
Elderson Echiejile (Cercle Brugge KSV, Belgium): A veteran member of the squad, Echiejile’s performance has slowly regressed in recent years but is still remains an important figure in the dressing room. He moved to his current club in January and has played admirably in seven league fixtures since then.
Brian Idowu (Amkar Perm, Russia): Still a new face in the squad. He is fondly remembered by Nigerians after scoring on his debut in the 4-2 over Argentina. The left sided defender has quietly impressed in the Russian Premier League and has missed just three games all season.
Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France): The on loan defender has been in and out of the Nantes team of late, starting 13 of his team’s 28 league games so far. He is still learning his trade though and at just 21, will be earmarked as a future leader of the Super Eagles defence.
William Troost-Ekong (Bursaspor FC, Turkey): One half the “Oyinbo Wall”, Troost-Ekong has marginally played well in a Bursaspor team that haven’t quite reached the heights the had hoped for. He’s been ever present in defence for the Turkish outfit, missing just 2 league games all season
Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05, Germany): The other half of the “Oyinbo Wall”, the German born defender is enduring a really poor season in the Bundesliga. He’s played in just 11 league games and continues to struggle together with most of his teammates, with Mainz starring relegation in the face.
Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa FC, Turkey): The perennial Chelsea loanee has had a very impressive season in Turkey so far. He has definitely been his team’s best defender and one of the best players in the squad as well overall. Omeruo will be hoping his impressive performances will be enough to reclaim a starting berth in the Super Eagles first team
Stephen Eze (Lokomotiv Plovdiv, Bulgaria): The central defender recently left Kano Pillars to join his current club and he has been involved in three league games so far. He is expected to slowly work his way into the first team but is a natural defender with alot of talent
MIDFIELDERS
Mikel John Obi (Tianjin Teda, China): Mikel serves as captain for both Tianjin Teda and the Super Eagles, which is testament to his supreme leadership qualities. The Chinese Super League has just began with only one round of games played, therefore we can’t particularly judge his performance this season.
Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey): Despite being a regular in the Nigerian first team, Onazi has struggled to cement a slot in his club’s starting eleven. He’s started just 11 of 24 league games and though injuries have kept him out in some instances, his form has also been wildly inconsistent as well.
Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England): You can argue that after Fernandinho of Man City and Kante of Chelsea, Ndidi is the best defensive midfielder in the English Premier League. He has certainly been his side’s most consistent player all season. He also boast the enviable stat of having completed the most tackles in the league and at just 21 years of age, Ndidi’s future has some frightening prospects.
Oghenekaro Etebo (Las Palmas, Spain): Etebo only joined Las Palmas in January and is already one of the first names on the team sheet. He’s performances have been commendable and key for his side’s battle against relegation from La Liga.
John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel): John Ogu’s combative displays in Israel have made him a constant member of the Super Eagles squad. He is also a key fixture for his side who sit on top of the Isreali Premier League and are poised to lift the title.
Uche Agbo (Standard Liege, Belgium): Standard Liege may have underwhelmed this season but that is no fault of Uche Agbo. The 22 year old defensive midfielder, on loan from Watford has been effective and consistent in his output for the 6th place Belgian outfit.
Joel Obi (Torino FC, Italy): The midfielder has been recalled to the national team after about 5 years out. This is proof of his much improved performance this season Turin where he been quietly effective and remains one of the most reliable members of the squad.
FORWARDS
Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia): Ahmed Musa has been reduced to a squad player for the Super Eagles in recent outings. He’s club form has been abysmal all season long. He was regularly overlooked for matchday squads at Leicester and was shipped out on loan to CSKA Moscow where he’s performance hasn’t improved despite playing regularly.
Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England): Iheanacho has endured a miserable campaign in the Premier League so far. He is yet to score a league goal for his club and seems to struggle to fit in to the 4-4-2 formation regularly deployed at Leicester.
Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium): The diminutive winger continues to be a key member of the Gent squad as they make a push for European qualification. Although he has been restricted by injuries, he has still played in 19 league games for his club, scoring 5 goals.
Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England): An ever present member of the Chelsea starting sqaud, Moses has continued to impress this season. The problem though is that he plays as a wing-back at Chelsea and as a forward for Nigeria. He has proven to be one of the best players at the Super Eagles squad, his performances all through World Cup qualification games were thrilling to say the least.
Odion Ighalo (Changchun Yatai, China): He was NIgeria’s first choice forward towards the end of World Cup qualifying and his displays were truly impressive. The burly frontman is he’s club’s primary source of goals, netting 15 times in 27 Super League games last season.
Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England): The man who scored the goal that sealed World Cup qualification for Nigeria, Iwobi has been an inconsistent performer in an inconsistent Arsenal team. The versatile forward has frustrated fans with his poor end product and lack of composure in front of goal.
Junior Ajayi (Al Ahly, Egypt): The Al Ahly forward has been handed a debut invitation to the Super Eagles squad and based on his performances this season, he deserves it. The skillful forward, who can operate along the frontline or behind a main striker has scored eight goals and assisted nine more as his team close in on a 40th league title.
Gabriel Okechukwu (Akwa United): Gabriel Okechukwu has been a key fixture of the CHAN Eagles up until now and thus deserves his first call up to the main squad. He plays mainly as a center forward and has scored nine goals in 16 league games for the Akwa United in the NPFL