AFCON 2022; THE SUPER EAGLES TAKE FLIGHT AGAIN

    Following a marginally successful third-placed finish at the 2019 African Cup of Nations in Egypt, the Super Eagles of Nigeria resume their quest to qualify for the 2022 edition of the biennial showpiece in Group L with a double header against the Lone Stars of Sierra Leone. Before the global hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Super Eagles last faced the Crocodiles of Lesotho in Matchday 2 of the qualifiers at the Setsoto Stadium in Maseru on November 17 2019 and triumphed 4-2 with Napoli star, Victor Osimhen starring with 2 goals and 2 assists. The Super Eagles had previously overcome next-door neighbours, the Squirrels of Benin Republic by a score line of 2-1 in the group’s opener on November 13 2019 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.

    On paper, the illustrious names on the squad list of the Super Eagles should break no sweat in dispatching their less-heralded neighbours, but experience has shown us time and again that there are no pushovers in football. Twenty-four players were invited to do justice to the fixtures, with another 7 players placed on the standby list. The first match is billed to take place at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City on November 13, and the second is scheduled for November 17 at the Siaka Stevens Stadium in Freetown. 

    The list released by the Coach, Gernot Rohr, sees the return of several players who missed the friendlies in October such as goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi, midfielders Joe Aribo and Oghenekaro Etebo, and strikers Victor Osimhen and Emmanuel Bonaventure. There’s also a first call-up for 26-year-old Swiss-born shot-stopper, Sebastian Osigwe who plays his club football at Lugano FC in the Swiss First Division. FC Porto left-back, Zaidu Sanusi and FC Midtjylland midfielder, Frank Onyeka, both freshly-armed with UEFA Champions League experience have retained their spots, as have TSG Hoffenheim defender, Kevin Akpoguma, and CSKA Moscow winger, Chidera Ejuke. There is also a return of APOEL FC goaltender, Francis Uzoho to the squad, albeit in a standby capacity following his recovery from a knee injury that kept him sidelined for 10 months. Bordeaux winger, Samuel Kalu was surprisingly excluded from the roster, as was KRC Genk striker, Cyriel Dessers. Leicester City ace, Wilfred Ndidi remains absent as he continues to recover from an abductor injury. 

The squad list in full;

Goalkeepers: Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, Netherlands); Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Sebastian Osigwe (Lugano FC, Switzerland).

Defenders: William Troost-Ekong (Watford FC, England); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Leon Balogun (Rangers FC, Scotland); Semi Ajayi (West Brom, England); Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista, Portugal); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Ola Aina (Fulham FC, England); Jamilu Collins (SC Paderborn 07, Germany); Kevin Akpoguma (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany); Tyronne Ebuehi (FC Twente, Netherlands)

Midfielders: Oghenekaro Etebo (Galatasaray, Turkey); Joe Aribo (Rangers FC, Scotland); Frank Onyeka (FC Midtjylland, Denmark).

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Unattached); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Emmanuel Bonaventure (Club Brugge, Belgium); Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal CF, Spain); Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Paul Onuachu (KRC Genk, Belgium). 

Standby: Kelechi Nwakali (SD Huesca, Spain); Francis Uzoho (APOEL FC, Cyprus); Samson Tijani (TSV Hartberg, Austria); Abdullahi Shehu (Omonia Nicosia, Cyprus); Ramon Azeez (Granada CF, Spain); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Katsina United, Nigeria).

    It looks set to be a good and winnable pair of games for the Super Eagles, as the players invited are in good form for their various clubs this season, giving Coach Rohr a positive selection headache. The invited players are expected to report to the camp after their clubs’ fixtures on the 7th and 8th of November. Concerns have been raised from various quarters about the lack of numbers in the midfield, with only 3 primary midfielders getting called up. It is important to note however, that Coach Rohr has opted to play West Brom man, Semi Ajayi, in midfield on a number of occasions in the past. A number of fans on Twitter were of the opinion that the coach should have opted for a lighter defence in favour of bolstering the midfield ranks with the addition of former Arsenal starlet, Kelechi Nwakali, now finally finding his feet in the Spanish topflight with SD Huesca, and Granada CF enforcer, Ramon Azeez. It was postulated that the addition of both men would add some steel to the midfield while Ndidi remains away.

    Following the release of the roster, a number of uncertainties have popped up from among the squad. First, FC Nantes man, Moses Simon, who was originally listed in the 24-man squad pulled out from the squad due to injury. He has since been replaced by Paul Onuachu, who was initially on the standby list. In the past week, first-timer, Sebastian Osigwe tested positive for the Corona virus and it remains to be seen whether he recovers in time to join up with the squad. Experienced defender, Kenneth Omeruo also picked up a hamstring injury while he represented CD Leganes in a league match, and it remains to be seen who gets drafted from the standby list as his replacement.  

    The Super Eagles are expected to get the job done comfortably and pick up maximum points from the two games as they aim to achieve successive AFCON appearances for the first time since qualifying for the 2008 and 2010 editions consecutively. It has been a long wait, and Nigerians hope this time around, the jinx gets broken.