Meet Ojo, Mbaoma , Adewale and other NPFL stars invited to the Super Eagles squad for Mexico/Ecuador Friendlies.
The Nigerian Football Federation on Tuesday 10th May 2022 released a list of 30 players invited to the Super Eagles for the international friendly games vs Mexico and Ecuador respectively.
8 NPFL players were invited to the squad a development greeted with cheers by fans and followers of the Nigerian Professional football league who have been clamouring more inclusion of home based players in the Super Eagles roster.
Sportsration in this article presents the 8 players who got on the list put together by Super Eagles first Assistant coach Salisu Yusuf .
GOALKEEPERS*
1. ADEWALE ADEYINKA (Akwa United)
A Former Junior international , Adewale Adeyinka’s invitation to the Super Eagles squad is long due.
The Promise Keepers First choice Goalkeeper joins Sparta Rotterdam’s Maduka Okoye as one of three Goalkeepers invited for the two friendly matches.
Adewale Adeyinka is an excellent Goalkeeper with the flexibility, reach and character suitable for a shot at the Super Eagles number one shirt.
2. OJO OLORUNLEKE (Enyimba Int’l)
Ojo Olorunleke has starred for Finidi George’s tutored Enyimba International team more than John Noble this term hence his preference.
Noble was a part of the Super Eagles squad for the World cup qualification playoffs and misses out alongside Francis Uzoho and Daniel Akpeyi .
Ojo Olorunleke will hope to get a chance between the sticks to justify his inclusion and stake claim for further invitations with the AFCON Qualifiers in sight.
DEFENDERS*
ISA ALI (Remo Stars)
Remo Stars have impressed this season. At one point a title Challenge was mooted. Isa Ali has been one of the standout performers providing cover for Goalkeeper Kayode Bankole.
Goalkeeper Bankole will feel hard done with his omission but like the invited two , his time will come.
Isa Ali makes the Super Eagles squad few weeks after recovering from Injury and will work hard to get in shape.
4 IBRAHIM BUHARI (Plateau United)
Zaria born Central defender Ibrahim Buhari has been one of the star performers for NPFL title challengers Plateau United this season.
Ibrahim who joined the Jos based side from Ranchers Bees in 2019 is in the words of his club manager Fidelis Illechukwu a ” Hardworking player and a delight to watch “.
*MIDFIELDERS*
5. AFEEZ NOSIRU (Kwara United)
Tammy Abraham’s lookalike , Afeez is one of the best defensive midfielders in the NPFL at the moment.
The Kwara United Midfielder is a great passer of the ball who does well in covering for his defense as well. With regulars Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka missing on the roster, Afeez will fancy his chances of making his international bow in of the friendly matches.
6. CHIAMAKA MADU (Rivers United)
One of the best passers of the ball in the NPFL. Coach Salisu Yusuf knows Chiamaka MADU very well having worked with the former Rangers Midfielder on numerous occasions at the Home based team plus during his reign as Enugu Rangers manager.
The Midfielder has been one of the players who have made Rivers United unplayable for other teams in the league this term. Stanley Eguma will be pleased they took him from Rangers where he starred for many seasons.
*FORWARDS*
7. VICTOR MBAOMA (Enyimba Int’l)
Talk of strikers who are consistently banging goals in the Nigerian Professional football league for the past four to five seasons and Victor Mboama’s name will come top.
From Remo Stars to Akwa United back to Remo Stars from where he joined Enyimba International Fc , Victor is always delivering the goods and thus deserves this Super Eagles call up.
Victor Mboama has scored twelve goals already this season the last a stoppage time equalizer to help the People’s Elephants to a 1-1 draw vs his former employers Akwa United Fc in Uyo on Sunday 8th May 2022.
Super Eagles Assistant Manager Finidi George knows what Victor Mbaoma can offer having worked with the forward this term at Enyimba International Fc.
8. ISHAQ RAFIU (Rivers United)
Ishaq Kayode is firing Rivers United towards NPFL glory this season. The Forward has scored 14 goals for Rivers United this term.
A well deserved invitation for one of NPFL’s hottest prospects. The NPFL Top scorer joins a star studded attacking department that has in it’s ranks the likes of Watford striker Emmanuel Dennis, Everton forward Ademola Lookman, Almeria’s Sadiq Umar etc.
Only 25 players from the 30 man pool of invited players will prosecute the international friendlies against Mexico on May 28th 2022 and June 2nd 2022 in the United States of America.
The 22 foreign based players are:
Goalkeeper: Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands)
Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Abdullahi Shehu (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Chidozie Awaziem (Alanyaspor FC, Turkey); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland).
Midfielders: Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Oghenekaro Etebo (Watford FC, England); Azubuike Okechukwu (Yeni Malatyaspor, Turkey); Samson Tijani (Red Bull Salzburg, Austria); Alhassan Yusuf (Royal Antwerp FC, Belgium)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Fatih Karagumruk, Turkey); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Ademola Lookman (Leicester City, England); Sadiq Umar (UD Almeria, Spain); Emmanuel Dennis (Watford FC, England); Cyriel Dessers (Feyenoord FC, The Netherlands).
How many of this NPFL stars do you think will make the final 25 man squad ?
