3 weeks ago
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The Super Eagles list for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixtures against Benin Republic and Rwanda continues to attract mixed reactions from Nigerian football enthusiasts, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Nigeria will host the Cheetahs of Benin on September 7 and embark on a trip to Rwanda three days later.
The Nigeria Football Federation released the 23-man list for both fixtures a few hours after announcing German tactician Bruno Labbadia as the new head coach of the team.
Captain William Troost-Ekong, who recently joined Al-Kholood FC of Saudi Arabia, returned to the fold for the first time since the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast, as well as Nottingham Forest duo Olaoluwa Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi and unsettled Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, who has not kicked a ball officially since May, when the Azzurri played a goalless draw against Lecce in the final game of the 2023/24 season.
There were also notable omissions, with in-form Glasgow Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers, Sevilla new signing Chidera Ejuke, and Nathan Tella overlooked for the qualifiers.
Football enthusiasts took to the official Super Eagles social media page to react to the list.
Omobolaji Omobola wrote, “Ejuke, Osho, Felix Agu, Justin Njimmah, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, Uche Chrisantus, Dessers, and many other players who have started the season on a high are excluded for some players who haven’t kicked a ball this season. Na wa! The coach didn’t invite these players; it is an NFF list.”
Iamskununzy added, “Victor Osimhen has yet to play any match this season, yet he’s on the team. Omo, we dey behind in Africa.”
Sharing Iamskununzy’s view, Olugbenga Nelly tweeted, “Why invite Osimhen, who has yet to sort himself out in terms of the club?”
Kayrot Keen-Observer said, “So, you prefer a match-rusty Osimhen to other active players. This is how we go on without achieving anything tangible. Let there be increased competition for places. A fringe player going to the US should not be invited. I pity this new coach; wetin him, no imagine go happen.”
An X user, A_Star, wrote, “You sneaked in (Amos) Omorogie and (Olisa) Ndah to give them a chance of finding European suitors where we have better players like Osho, Felix Agu, Njimmah, GK Okonkwo, and even Dessers. Alhassan Yusuf from the US too where an Akinsanmiro and Uche would have been better. May God save Nigeria!”
Wondering why Ejuke wasn’t invited to the qualifiers, KIA kfra_88 asked, “Why is our new Okocha, Ejuke the Sevilla player, not on the list?”
Sofa Forerunner added, “This list is from the NFF. Some notable players have started the season on a good note but are not on this list.”
Also sharing his view on the list, Robert Kehìndé wrote, “Cyril Dessers from Rangers FC should have been included on that list instead of Taiwo Àwoniyi, based on the current form and not sentiment.”
Dee Olu03 added, “Am I seeing Awoniyi and not Dessers and just one right winger with four strikers?”
Amid the barrage of criticisms, several other football fans thought the squad was good enough to pick up maximum points during the qualifiers.
Femi Popoola said, “I think people need to calm down as regards this list; the players are good enough to execute the game, and I am backing them for victory.”
AdebayoONGod added, “This squad looks fit enough to win something at least; we’ve got the strongest squad in Africa currently.”
Ethan James believed that regardless of Osimhen’s rustiness, he remains the country’s best striker.
“Players are out injured for months and take to the field the day they are cleared to play after several training sessions,” he said.
“I believe that Osimhen has been training even if he hasn’t played any competitive games this season, and we all know what he is capable of. Take it or leave it; he remains our best striker, and I am cool with the invited players.”
Onyii, however, called for calm against the background of criticism surrounding the appointment of the new coach.
“He is still new, but going forward, we need new entrants. We need to add a few more names; Wilfried Ndidi, Alhassan Yusuf, and Taiwo Awoniyi need to be dropped.”
Sule added, “These are the chosen ones and a pretty-looking squad on paper. But I hope they know that only one result is acceptable: victory! Or nothing!”
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