On Sunday night, José Peseiro released the Super Eagles squad for the September 2023 international break.
After a back-and-forth over his continuity as the Nigeria national football team manager, the Portuguese tactician was given the go-ahead to invite the players he wants to work with for the upcoming AFCON 2023 qualifiers fixtures.
From a provisional invitees list of 34, 24 players were selected. They are on their way to Uyo, where the Super Eagles camp will be held, from their various clubs.
Here are some of the winners and losers from the September 2023 Super Eagles squad list.
OFFICIAL: Nigeria's squad list for AFCON qualifiers vs. Sao Tome has been announced. pic.twitter.com/dQDT0vlRMd
— Soar Super Eagles (@SSE_NGA) September 3, 2023
Super Eagles squad winner: Joe Aribo (Southampton)
The idea that Joe Aribo will make the September 2023 Super Eagles squad list never crossed the minds of many in the Nigeria football news scene.
This is because the former Charlton Athletic man has not enjoyed a good year with Southampton, with whom he was relegated to the EFL Championship at the end of last season.
He has also not been prominent in their bid to return to the Premier League in 2024/25, having been reduced to seven-minute appearances in the Saints' EFL Championship season this far.
Aribo, however, has the benefit of the doubt of being a consistent enough performer for the Super Eagles.
He also has the luck of seeing his place in the current Super Eagles squad unshaken thanks to the lack of options in the middle of the park for Nigeria.
More importantly, the injury to Alex Iwobi means that his inclusion is necessary, which makes him a winner in this case.
Super Eagles squad loser: Ahmed Musa (Sivasspor)
Ahmed Musa is a conspicuous absence from the September 2023 Super Eagles squad because like Iwobi, the forward is injured.
The Nigeria national football team captain and record appearance maker has been riding on the coattails of his popularity for some time now.
There have been cries to have him axed from the team in favour of others but all seems to have fallen on deaf ears.
Victor Boniface, Gift Orban and Jordan Torunarigha all get first-time Super Eagles call-up 🇳🇬
Sensational 😋 pic.twitter.com/6RV8VE1E8X
— Soar Super Eagles (@SSE_NGA) September 3, 2023
He picked up an injury after his first match in the 2023/24 Turkish Super Lig season and this has now given Peseiro the chance to name a squad without him.
His injury makes him a loser in this case.
Super Eagles squad winner: Jamilu Collins (Cardiff City)
Jamilu Collins is returning to the Super Eagles squad for the first time in almost two years.
The defender suffered a terrible injury early in the 2021/22 season that kept him on the sidelines for the rest of the season and for most of 2023/24.
However, since his return to the pitch in the latter stages of the 2023/24 season, he has shown his quality and is also attracting interest from a few clubs.
Jamilu Collins has been called up for the Nigerian national team.
Well done JC!🇳🇬🔵#CardiffCity pic.twitter.com/0YsgA5KupE
— ccfcinsider (@ccfcinsiderr) September 3, 2023
Now fit as a fiddle, he makes his long-awaited comeback to the Super Eagles squad, making him a winner in this case.
Super Eagles squad loser: Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahçe)
Bright Osayi-Samuel was sacrificed for Jamilu Collins in the September 2023 Super Eagles squad.
The English-born wingback has put in some strong performances for the Super Eagles since his maiden call-up and has also done well for his club, Fenerbahçe.
Bright Osayi-Samuel scored this fantastic match-winning goal for Fenerbahce last night 🚀 pic.twitter.com/fSLwQchgxb
— Soar Super Eagles (@SSE_NGA) September 4, 2023
However, with his main competition – Collins and Ola Aina – rising back into prominence, Osayi-Samuel's participation in the Super Eagles squad will become limited, making him a loser in this case.
This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago