Ahead of the June 18 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Nigeria and Sierra Leone in Freetown, there have been dissenting voices over the list of Super Eagles players release by Coach Jose Peseiro.
The Portuguese release a twenty three-man list to do battle with their fellow West Africans with Captain Ahmed Musa surprisingly included while the duo of Victor Sochima, the goalkeeper of Rivers United, and Ojo Olorunleke, his counterpart at Enyimba, making the cut.
Meanwhile, ex-International, Sam Sodje, gave kudos to Peseiro for the calibre of players invited to prosecute the AFCON 2023 qualifying match away to Sierra Leone.
Expressing obvious delight while going through the list released on Friday by the media department of the NFF, the one time central defender punched the air and muttered to himself that the list is a very decent one.
“Oh yes I am satisfied with the list. It is a good one. The players that deserve a recall are back and those who underwhelmed last season have been dropped, the coach deserves commendation for being bold”, Sodje said.
Emphasizing further, Sodje, from a footballing family with the likes of Efe and Akpor who also had distinguished careers in the round leather game, further detailed his expectations going into the game.
“It’s a must win match. The players are well aware that only a win can take us to the Nations Cup. They took their feet off the gas the last time but they have learnt from him. I am expecting nothing but the 3 points from the game”, the defender who made a name in English football added.
However, a former player of the team who craved anonymity, while in a chat questioned the continuous inclusion of the team’s captain, Ahmed Musa.
The former international said it was becoming clear that some powers that be have been responsible for the invitation of Musa, who some Nigerians believe has past his prime in the team.
“Let me ask; what is Ahmed Musa doing in that list? This is very funny.
“Is national team now about quota system or by merit? I ask this question because everyone knows that Musa is no more very relevant in this team,” questioned the former player who was integral member of the Super Eagles golden era.
The Sierra Leone versus Nigeria clash is billed for the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium in Monrovia on Sunday, 18 June.
THE INVITED PLAYERS:
Goalkeepers: Adebayo Adeleye (Hapoel Jerusalem, Israel); Victor Sochima (Rivers United); Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba FC)
Defenders: William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Calvin Bassey (Ajax FC, The Netherlands); Kevin Akpoguma (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany); Chidiebube Duru (Rivers United); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey)
Midfielders: Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Divine Nwachukwu (Bendel Insurance); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England)
Forwards: Moses Simon (Nantes FC, France); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Ahmed Musa (Sivasspor K, Turkey).
