As the senior national team of Nigeria gear up for their first game in the 2026 World cup qualifiers, one area that has given the coach and fans of the team a reason to be worried is the midfield of the team.
Jose Peseiro is spoilt for choice in almost every department but in midfield he has been forced to rely on just five players in Joe Aribo, Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Wilfred Ndidi and Raphael Onyedika who recently joined the pool.
The coach hasn’t hidden his desire for a midfielder who can orchestrate play from deep, something the present crop can’t provide with most of them very similar in their style and approach.
OwnGoalNigeria.com takes a look at five players who could offer something different to the team based on how well they are performing for their respective teams.
Ifeanyi Matthew (FC Zurich): If there is a player who will instantly make an impact and solve the long standing desire for a playmaker then it’s the former Nigeria U20 midfielder. He has played in all games for table topping FC Zurich from a role just in front of the defence. Matthew can hit passes from deep with precision, a trait which has been his main strength for years.
At 26, he is more refined and discipline to play and execute his role better by knowing when go go long, play short, break up play and also keep possession.
Tom Dele-Bashiru (Watford) – Another former Nigeria U20 player who hasn’t been lucky with injuries. After two injury hit seasons he has finally find his feet this season. So far he has a goal and an assist and has played in all seven games for far in the English Championship. At 24 he provides a young alternative to the players in the role aside his versatility and creativity.
Michael Folorunsho (Verona) – A sure upgrade on all the options in the team at the moment. Out on loan from Napoli he hasn’t missed a game and has constantly earned the highest ratings in the four games he has played in the Serie A this season.
At 25 his best bet of international football will be with Nigeria but after missing out on a training camp with Italy last season, while he was on loan at Bari. He might probably want to wait a little longer, which might be the only problem having him in the squad as earlier as November.
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Hatayspor) – He made an unpopular choice of moving to Turkey after a highly successful season with Sheffield Wednesday in League one, but that move is paying off handsomely for the 22 year old.
The former Manchester City trainee has played in all of the league games this season and has a very healthy record of three goals and one assist in five games in the Super Lig. No doubt he has what it takes to be in the mix as he will provide something different especially in the final third.
Daniel Daga (One Rocket): That he is 16 means he probably might be one for the future but 15 year old Amara Diouf is already in the set up of Senegal at senior level, making true the statement that if you are good enough then you are old enough.
His performance at the U20 World Cup against players who are playing top level football shows his talent level and he won’t look out of place in the set up of the senior national team of Nigeria, particularly with the players in the team at the moment.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
