The Super Eagles will begin life post AFCON 2024 with two friendly games planned for the next international window in Marrakech, Morocco.
Per a press release by the Nigeria Football Federation, Nigeria will face Ghana on the 22nd of March 2024, at the Grande Stade de Marrakech and then take on the Eagles of Mali four days later at the same venue.
Even though a coach is yet to be named for the team, the NFF released a 26-man team to prosecute the two games with Ghana and Mali.
There is a first-ever call-up of former Bendel Insurance center-back Benjamin Tainimu who is now with Tanzania side Ihefu Sports Club while Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Nathan Tella, Tyronne Ebuehi, Cyriel Dessers, and Jamilu Collins who were all part of Nigeria’s AFCON provisional squad have been recalled.
Super Eagles squad for Ghana & Mali friendlies
Here is a breakdown of the invited players for the Super Eagles' March friendlies:
Goalkeepers
Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Ojo Olorunleke (Enyimba FC)
It is a return for the three goalkeepers who made the squad to the Africa Cup of Nations. Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye had suggested he was ready to come back into the team but the selectors have elected to go with the same set they had in January.
Nwabali and Ojo have been in good form for their clubs after their return while Uzoho has not hit the ground running yet.
Defenders
Gabriel Osho (Luton FC, England); Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista FC, Portugal); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); Tyronne Ebuehi (Empoli FC, Italy); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa FC, Turkey); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Jamilu Collins (Cardiff City, Wales); Benjamin Tianimu (Ihefu SC, Tanzania)
There are two new members to the rearguard as Luton Town’s Gabriel Osho, who just weeks ago revealed he wants to play for Nigeria, gets his maiden call-up.
In what is probably the biggest surprise in the selection, Benjamin Tianimu, a highly-rated center-back who has played for the U23s gets a shock call-up.
Only recently moving to Tanzania with Ihefu Sports Club, the former Bendel Insurance defender will hope to use this chance to make a mark for himself with the Super Eagles.
Jamilu Collins and Tyronne Ebuehi who missed the cut for the AFCON are recalled while the rest of the cast, who were at the Nations Cup all retain their spots.
Midfielders
Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf (Royal Antwerp FC, Belgium); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England) Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Hatayspor, Turkey)
Leicester City midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi makes a return to the team after missing the AFCON due to injury while there is no place for Southampton midfielder Joe Aribo.
Antwerp’s Alhassan Yusuf solidified his place in the team with a stellar showing at the AFCON while Fisayo Dele Bashiru gets another chance to stake a claim.
Forwards
Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England); Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland)
The forward line is a mix of the usual suspects and a few attackers who were cut from the final squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Bayer Leverkusen’s Nathan Tella gets another chance to impress in Nigeria’s colors while in-form Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers is among the attackers called in.
After the controversy that saw him pull out of the Nigeria squad just days before the commencement of the Africa Cup of Nations, Real Sociedad’s Umar Sadiq gets a spot on the team while Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho, Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, who all featured in the Nations Cup are back in the latest selection.
Fit again Nottingham Forest forward Taiwo Awoniyi completes the list of forwards called up for the two friendly games while there is no space for Samuel Chukwueze and Paul Onuachu in attack this time out.
