The head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Austine Eguavoen yesterday released the list of players who will represent Nigeria in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers playoff against Ghana.
Nigeria will engage Ghana in a two legged game to determine which team qualifies for the world cup in Qatar with the first leg billed to take place in the Ghanaian city of Cape Coast on the 24th of March. The return leg will be on the 27th in Abuja.
OwnGoalNigeria.com takes a look at the two major talking points from the list.
Etebo over Bonke: Oghenekaro Etebo marked his return to fitness by playing 45 minutes for the U23s of Watford. He last kicked a ball in a competitive game on the 15th of September. Still some way off full fitness, it makes little or no sense to include him in the list even though the team looks light in numbers in that area.
A credible option would have been Innocent Bonke of French Ligue 1 side Lorient. The destroyer like he is nicknamed in France has been ever present since his move to the team in the January transfer window. Even yesterday he was on for the entire duration of their 1-4 loss to Lyon. His omission from the list which has a player who isn’t match fit is a mockery of players getting rewarded with national call up base on club form.
Onazi Over NPFL Players – The return of 29 year old Ogenyi Onazi to the team even though he is on standby is up there among some of the worst call up ever made by a Super Eagles coach. Maybe the worst in recent years. He recently signed for second division Al-Adalah Football Club of Saudi Arabia.
A player from the Nigeria Professional Football League would have been the better and sensible option.
