The Super Eagles squad for the November 2023 international break has not been released yet, but here is a look at the stars who deserve to be named.
Jose Peseiro’s side will be kicking off their 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers next week against Lesotho in Uyo before facing off with Zimbabwe three days later on match day two.
In view of the above, the Super Eagles squad is expected to be announced any moment from now, and Nigerian football fans are keen to see the latest addition to the squad.
While the fans wait for the players named, here are some we think deserve to make the cut.
Four players who deserve Super Eagles call
Akor Adams (Montepellier)
Akor Adams is yet to make an appearance for the Super Eagles but he has been knocking on the door with his fine performances in recent weeks for the French club.
The 23-year-old, who is the top-scoring Nigerian forward in the French top division with seven goals in 10 games, expressed his desire to be at the AFCON with Nigeria recently, and he has shown he can do it.
As a former Nigeria youth international with the U20 side, he will be hoping he gets a chance with the Super Eagles squad before the continental showpiece.
Most especially with the expected absence of Victor Osimhen, who was injured in the last international friendly against Saudi Araba.
Here lies a window of opportunity for Peseiro to call the Kogi-born forward and offer him a chance to represent the senior national team for the first time.
Chuba Akpom (AFC Ajax)
Just like Adams, Akpom, who switched his nationality to Nigeria in 2017, is yet to be considered for a call-up.
We might say his form around the time was not good but he has proven in the last two seasons that he deserves a run in the team.
He finished as the EFL Championship top scorer last season, an award that Kelechi Iheanacho will be hoping to win this season.
He was also crowned the best player in the league and also recently won the PFA award for the same.
Akpom moved to Ajax – a side playing in Europe at the moment – where he has scored three times in seven league games for them.
Many believe he should have received a fresh call-up from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) technical committee, but it has not come to fruition yet.
If it eventually comes or anytime it comes, it will be described as well-deserved.
Alhassan Yusuf (Royal Antwerp)
From time immemorial, the Super Eagles midfield has always been short of options, and here is one of the reasons many believe the side cannot do well in major tournaments.
Peseiro called up only six midfielders last time out and Alhassan Yusuf missed out.
The 23-year-old is yet to get a Super Eagles call-up but after playing a starring role for Royal Antwerp in their historic Belgium League win last season, many expected him to become a new midfield option for the Super Eagles.
With Wilfred Ndidi out and Joel Aribo not really playing much at Southampton, Yusuf deserves a call-up this time around.
He is one of the few Nigerians playing in the UEFA Champions League this season and he has a goal to his name.
Christian Nwoke (Sporting Lagos)
Christian has been one of the shining lights for the Lagos-based Nigeria Premier Football League side.
Two among these goalkeepers will put an end to Super Eagles goalkeeping crisis.
If Vincent Enyeama could be discovered in the NPFL a better version can also be discovered.
◉ Bankole Kayode – Remo Stars
◉ Christian Nwoke – Sporting Lagos
◉ Mustapha Lawal – Sunshine Stars
◉… pic.twitter.com/lfYHoW9qJu— Leagues Reporter (@LeaguesReporter) October 17, 2023
The goalkeeper has been phenomenal in goal in their debut top-flight season so far with four clean sheets from his seven appearances.
Apart from the shutouts, he is a good shot-stopper with superb reflexes and is very comfortable playing out from the back.
The 23-year-old could be the solution to the current goalkeeping crisis in the Super Eagles.
This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago
