Nigerians on social media have had their say on the Super Eagles’ latest squad for the international friendlies against Ghana and Mali later this month.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced on Saturday that the team will be taking on the Black Stars on March 22, while a second friendly will come off four days later against Mali on March 26.
Both international friendlies will be played in the Moroccan city of Marrakesh and will be used as test games ahead of Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin in June.
While the Super Eagles are currently without a head coach following Jose Peseiro’s departure at the end of March, a squad has nonetheless been named for the upcoming friendlies.
Osimhen headlines 27-man squad for Ghana, Mali games
There are no changes in the goalkeeping department, where Stanley Nwabali, Francis Uzoho and Ojo Olorunleke have all kept their places after the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in the Ivory Coast.
In defence, captain William Troost-Ekong and left-back Zaidu Sanusi both miss out through injury but some new faces have been invited, including Jamilu Collins, Gabriel Osho and Benjamin Tianimu.
Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi and Kenneth Omeruo have also made the cut, while Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka and Alhassan Yusuf lead the midfield options.
Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, who missed the AFCON due to injury, is also back in the squad, with Southampton’s Joe Aribo dropped.
Moses Simon and Ademola Lookman have been invited too, following their impressive showings at the AFCON, with Bayer Leverkusen’s Nathan Tella also rewarded with a call-up for his great run of form in recent weeks.
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru has also been handed a debut call-up.
Napoli forward Victor Osimhen leads Nigeria’s attacking options, where Kelechi Iheanacho is also joined by the returning Taiwo Awoniyo and Sadiq Umar, both of whom missed the AFCON due to injury.
Rangers forward Cyriel Dessers is also part of the squad that will be facing Ghana and Mali in this month’s international friendlies, with Ahmed Musa left out this time.
Nigeria fans react to Super Eagles squad
Meanwhile, some fans on social media have reacted to the call-ups, with some expressing optimism while others raised concerns over the team’s lack of technical direction.
It is unknown whether the NFF will appoint an interim coach for the two friendlies after previously debunking reports that technical director Augustine Eguavoen will take charge on a stop-gap basis.
With social media providing a platform for fans to have their say, many took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their views on the latest Super Eagles squad.
