The senior national team of Nigeria will take on the B teams and the main team oof Algeria in two friendly games billed for the 23rd and 27th of Septemberrespectively.
Ahead of the game, OwnGoalNigeria.com senior editor Mohammed Yusuf Suleiman popularly known as Mowiz picks five players who have a point to prove to new coach Jose Peseiro.
Kevin Akpoguma – The Hoffenheim defender is back from a self imposed exile from the team. The pressure is now on him to show the form that has made him a regular in the Bundesliga in the Nigeria national team. Where he hasn’t quite step up.
It’s a new start for most players and now more than ever he stands the chance of nailing a regular spot with others bar Calvin Bassey struggling for game time.
Chidera Ejuke – From Gernot Rohr to Austine Eguavoen he usually wins them over but after a while he goes missing. A very good dribbler, his end product is still frustrating but he came to the camp on the back of bagging back to back assists for Hertha Berlin. Impressing the new coach should be high on his agenda.
Raphael Onyedika – With Wilfred Ndidi out injured the onus is now on the Club Brugge new signing to make the best out of what will be his first cap for Nigeria if he gets to play. The idea will be to impress the coach with the intention of earning more caps. The time is now.
Maduka Okoye – His case is more of trying to win back his spot as his rival Francis Uzoho didn’t do badly in the four games under new manager Jose Peseiro. Reports from the training of the team has it that he has so far done very well and he will be hoping it earns him a spot between the sticks to impress the coach in at least one of the two games.
Taiwo Awoniyi – Two goals for Nottingham Forest helped made his recall possible. The idea is not to displace Victor Osimhen who isn’t available for the game but it’s more like pushing to be the number one back up in his absence. A role he presently has to battle with the duo of Terem Moffi and Cyriel Dessers with Sadiq Umar unavailable like Osimhen due to injury.
