When the list of the players called up by the coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Jose Peseiro was made public, a lot of Nigerians expressed their displeasure at the omission of some players at the expense of those who many think don’t merit a spot in the team.
OwnGoalNigeria.com editor in chief Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman takes a look at the list and how the coach of the team appears to have totally lost the plot when it comes to the idea of calling up players to the senior national team of Nigeria.
Goalkeepers: Adebayo Adeleye (Hapoel Jerusalem, Israel); Victor Sochima (Rivers United); Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba FC)
Mowiz: What is shocking in this selection is the fact that Peseiro knows that the third goalkeeper in the list might not get to play. So why not hand it to the U20 goalkeeper who is coming off the back of a fantastic world cup campaign with Nigeria. Again he has been a part of the team prior to now.
Defenders: William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Calvin Bassey (Ajax FC, The Netherlands); Kevin Akpoguma (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany); Chidiebube Duru (Rivers United); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey).
Mowiz – One has to wonder the idea behind calling up five centre backs for one game and only one right back in Bright Osayi-Samuel. Meanwhile the team has a right back in Empoli’s Tyronne Ebuehi who plays in a league rated higher than any player in the list and a regular at that. Even Osayi-Samuel hasn’t played as many league games in Turkey like the 27 year old in Italy this season.
Midfielders: Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Divine Nwachukwu (Bendel Insurance); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England)
Mowiz- Maybe one can say this area is a bit balanced but when you consider that Aribo hasn’t played just three games not up to 90 minutes. Then it’s easy to ask why not leave him out for a certain Daniel Daga is the Nigeria U20 team who was by far one of the best players in the Nigerian team at the World Cup? Only Peseiro can explain this decision.
Forwards: Moses Simon (Nantes FC, France); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Ahmed Musa (Sivasspor K, Turkey)
Mowiz – Aside from the inclusion of Musa which one can say is due to his role as captain of the team, every other name on the list can pass as a worthy Inclusion. Maybe the exclusion of Terem Moffi is harsh and the decision to leave out the duo of Gift Orban and Victor Boniface will make some to scratch their head. One still can’t argue about the inclusion of the players picked by the coach.
Final Verdict: One thing is obvious. Peseiro needs help because some of the decisions are straightforward but when madness steps in, nothing seems easy anymore.
