Luton star headlines Super Eagles squad for friendlies against Ghana and Mali

Luton Town defender Gabriel Osho has earned his debut call-up to the Nigeria squad for this month’s international friendlies against Ghana and Mali in Morocco.

The 25-year-old joins the Eagles squad alongside Tanzania-based Benjamin Tanimu, who also earns his first opportunity with the Super Eagles.

Osho and Tanimu represent the fresh faces in a squad that largely consists of players who finished as runners-up at the Africa Cup of Nations in February.

Additionally, England-based duo Jamilu Collins and Cyriel Dessers have been recalled, along with Empoli’s Tyronne Ebuehi, while Wilfred Ndidi returns from injury to bolster the midfield options.

Osho, who has been a standout performer for Luton this season with 34 appearances in all competitions, came through the ranks at Reading before joining Luton in 2021. For Tianimu, his call-up marks a remarkable rise after making the move from Tanzania to Slovakia in 2020 to pursue his professional career, before joining Yanga SC last year.

The friendlies in Morocco offer Nigeria an opportunity to continue rebuilding following their AFCON final defeat to Ivory Coast. They face Ghana on March 22 and Mali on March 26, aiming to integrate new faces like Osho and Tanimu into the squad ahead of upcoming 2025 AFCON qualifiers in June.

FULL LIST OF INVITED SUPER EAGLES PLAYERS

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Ojo Olorunleke (Enyimba FC)

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)

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)

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); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Hatayspor, Turkey); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England); Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland)