Bendel Insurance goalkeeper Amas Obasogie could not hide his joy after he received his maiden call-up to the Super Eagles for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
The shot-stopper replaced Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, who pulled out of the qualifiers on Monday night.
Okoye, who had been controversially included in the initial 23-man roster, withdrew from the squad due to undisclosed reasons.
He joins Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba) and Francis Uzoho (Omonia Nicola) as the goalkeepers in the Super Eagles camp.
Quick update from the camp #soarsupereagles #letsdoitagain #fifawcq pic.twitter.com/GCNDWMSwol
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) November 13, 2023
Nigeria are scheduled to face Lesotho on November 16, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo before travelling to face Zimbabwe on November 19.
Obasogie has been impressive in goal for the Benin side since their return to the top flight. He was a regular feature in Monday Odigie's side and has now been rewarded with a place in the national team.Â
Amas Obasogie pleased with Super Eagles invitationÂ
In his reaction to the call-up, Obasogie said it was a great privilege for him and described it as a win for the home-based players.Â
“It was good news for me when I received a call from the Super Eagles camp that I have been invited for the match,” Obasogie said.
“It’s a great privilege for me, and I will never take it for granted.
“I’m very happy to have been invited by the manager, and I want to thank the coach and his coaching crew as well as the NFF Technical Committee.”
“This call-up is for the fans and the home-based players, and I want to thank them all for their support and belief in me. I will be in the camp and give my best for the coach and my fatherland.”
Obasogie played a crucial role in Bendel Insurance's 2023 Federation Cup win over Rangers International.Â
By virtue of that win, Odigie’s side qualified for the preliminary rounds of the CAF Confederation Cup where they were knocked out by RS Berkane after the first round.
So far this campaign, Obasogie has kept six clean sheets and conceded just a goal in his seven appearances in the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League season so far.
Super Eagles players arrive in camp
In a related development, key players Kenneth Omeruo, Jamilu Collins, and Sadiq Umar have arrived at the Super Eagles camp.
Kasimpasa defender Omeruo, Cardiff City full-back Collins, and Real Sociedad striker Sadiq were received by Sir John Etim on behalf of the Nigeria Football Federation in Uyo.
Sir John Etim, the Akwa Ibom State Football Normalization Committee Secretary, expressed warm wishes and optimism regarding the upcoming 2026 Qualifier fixtures.
It is believed that the remaining Twenty players will be in camp before the end of Tuesday as head coach Jose Peseiro begins his journey to lead the Super Eagles to victory in the opening two games of the qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Lesotho.
However, Boavista defender Bruno Onyemaechi’s availability for the games is in huge doubt after he suffered a knock during his side’s 3-1 defeat to Farense on Sunday.
This article was most recently revised and updated 10 months ago
