The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has extended the contract of Jose Peseiro to the end of February 2024. after the Portuguese accepted a pay cut.
A reliable source exclusively informed Completesports.com that the Portuguese has $20,000 removed from his hitherto $70,000 monthly salary and will henceforth earn $50,000.
Peseiro, according to the Completesports.com’s source also accepted the NFF proposal to have him fully quartered in Nigeria henceforth as long as he handles the Super Eagles top job, discarding the former arrangement when the Portuguese maintained only a temporary stay in Nigeria during the national team’s assignments.
The decision to extend Peseiro’s contract was taken on Saturday night, 2nd September during a meeting between the new Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, and the leadership of the NFF.
The foremost agenda of the meeting was to find solutions to the lingering issues surrounding the status of Peseiro’s contract.
Meanwhile, the trio of Victor Boniface, Gift Orban, and Jordan Torunarigha have been handed their first call-up to the Super Eagles ahead of this month’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against São Tomé and Principe.
Their invitation was confirmed in a release by the media officer of the Super Eagles Babafemi Raji on Sunday.
Back in the team are Empoli right-back Tyronne Ebuehi and Cardiff defender Jamilu Collins.
Other notable players like Francis Uzoho, William Troost-Ekong, Ola Aina, Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Osimhen, and Taiwo Awoniyi.
Also on the list are Joe Aribo, Ademola Lookman, Calvin Bassey, Olorunleke Ojo, Frank Onyeka, and Semi Ajayi.
The camp will open on Wednesday, September 6th.
The Eagles will host São Tomé on September 10, 2023, inside the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Also read: Lewandowski Accuses Referees Of Killing La Liga Game
While the Eagles have already qualified for next year’s AFCON from Group A, São Tomé have been eliminated.
Super Eagles 23-man squad for São Tomé clash:
The Full List
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus); Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba FC); Adebayo Adeleye (Hapoel Jerusalem, Israel)
Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Tyronne Ebuehi (Empoli FC, Italy); Jordan Torunarigha (KAA Gent, Belgium); William Ekong (PAOK FC, Greece); Semi Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Jamilu Collins (Cardiff FC, Wales); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal)
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Joe Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England)
Forwards: Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England); Gift Orban (KAA Gent, Belgium); Victor Boniface (Bayern Leverkusen, Germany)
By Richard Jideaka, Abuja
Got what it Takes?
Predict and Win Millions Now
84 Comments
Good list
Which kain ‘good list’? Why have the NFF conspired to abandon Cyril Dessers? We have not cap-tied him yet and he’s in good form, more form than the likes of Iheanacho…
What is really going? This is a player who has been very enthusiastic about featuring in the SE.
Best list i have seen in ages
@Dcardinal, which “best list” abegi?!
Jamilu Collins who is just coming back from long-term injury after missing almost an entire season, and is just finding his feet (he was decidedly VERY AVERAGE versus Leicester recently) in a club currently near the bottom of the second division log is included over Porto’s Zanusi, while Osayi-Samuel (one of the best performers in recent SE games) is excluded. Meanwhile, anyone who follows the Belgian league would probably take Alhassan Yusuf over Onyedika or at the very least take both (if insistent on calling up the latter).
Speaking of Osayi-Samuel, he ‘marked’ his SE exclusion with a goal last night…LOL1.
Best list so far
Notably missing..
Zaidu Sanusi
Bright Osayi
Kenneth Omeruo
Chidozie Awaziem (Fast losing spot)
Leon Balogun (Losing spot)
Ahmed Musa (Controversial)
Alex Iwobi
Terem Moffi
Who else?
But no doubt a very sound list – at least on paper. I’ll just really miss Iwobi, Sanusi, and Osayi.
Rogues in GLASS.HOUSE!
What’s TORUNARIGHA doing in that list ahead of CHIDOZIE AWAZIEM?
What business has JAMILU COLLINS unless he has someone UP THERE??
Why is IWOBI not there?
Why is AKPOGUNA not there?
Why is ALHASSAN not there??
Iwobi out injured!
Thanks bro. Error on my part on that. Not sure ZAIDU and co are though..Will have to FAST CHECK
All the players you mentioned are out injured except for Awaziem….. Awaziem might have been sacrificed inorder to cap Jordan Torrunarigha with this dead rubber match
Okay, thank you my brother
Akpoguma Illness!
I doubt if Nigeria can pay Peseiro’s reduced salary. Corruption has left the NFF broke
This is a killer squad for just one game!
I was thinking players like oshimen, and Moses Simon will be rested but there seem to be space for them..
Something tells me peseiro has indicated in the new contract that the compulsory home base players inclusion should be abolished.. that’s the right step if he wishes to do well in the upcoming world cup qualifiers in novo and Afcon in January..
We will badly miss iwobi but if they don’t learn to Play without him , we will suffer if he gets injured or suspended in a future crucial game.. let’s see what aribo and iheancho can do in that position..
Welcome back ebuehi, Collins and onyedika.. noone needs to tell them that if they fail to impress the regulars who were not invited will collect back their position..
We have three fresh boys in the German defender , orban and Boniface.. akor, akpom and tella are knocking on the door!
It’s a Shame that our midfield trio of Ndidi , Aribo and Iheanacho are now in the Championship, I was really shocked that Ndidi in particular couldn’t make a move out of Leceister before the transfer window closed. His teammates, Tielemans and Madison made the move, why couldn’t he??? Anyways, January isn’t far away. I just don’t want any Championship player in the SE any longer.
At least my friend @ugo will rest his case this time around because no Musa here today while my other friend @monkey post will complain tire today.
Good list anyway but our mildfilders hmmmmm it aaaaa hmmm Ityaaaa well niooooooo.
Na wa o all these BIG NAMES just for a CHEAP ASS SAO TOME? Lol. WTF! Am even seeing OSIMHEN there. Lol. Sao tome that even RIVER ANGELS(FEMALE LOCAL TEAM) can THRASH..lol.this is so PATHETIC!
@ Monkey post, there is no need to take chances these days in any qualifying matches.
There are no more minnows or small countries again in football, so it makes sense to deploy all yr best legs all the time
@ONERO Not for something that we have already QUALIFIED for!
@ONERO it seems you are not even following EVENTS atall! WE have already QUALIFIED! So there is no need for all these big names..this is doing too much for me…
I want the minister to also intervene and bring Waldrum back. We need for the Olympic qualifiers
@Monkey Post.Don’t forget that it is always the best thing to do to maintain group leadership as that is taken into consideration during the draws.
Unless u want us to cede the leadership to Guinea Bissau.
New players would be test during friendly window
Thank u.
Oga didn’t you read my comment? I said even if i gather 11 crippled men from my street to play sao tome, we will still come out good and still top the group….
The best list to come out for a long time. It clearly demonstrates that they listen to our callings for a change. With Awo, Orban, and Boniface in the mix, Nigeria shall get qualified for the World Cup in USA. No Musa but Joe Aribo is becoming a dead wood here. We want to see Akpom though. We want to see what Dr Drey
says. A lot of guys respect his opinion here. Hi Dock, enjoy your beautiful Sunday afternoon. 1.30 p.m. est.
Excellent list but Peseiro might have to add more defensive midfielders like Al Hassan youssuf, Daniel Daga; also he might have to Benjamine Fredrick instead of old flopped William Troost.
Wow wow wow wow this is unbelievable Chai I am over the moon this is the best list in a long time a very long time
Long may it continue God Bless Super Eagles.
P.s. Iwobi Sanusi are nursing Injuries at the moment.
You are pathetic @MONKEY POST this Is a international game and a chance to test team chemistry and cohesion. This is Nigeria’s strongest list on paper no doubt. Barring Iwobi and Sanusi.
Ps I am over the moon to see Orban, Boniface, Ebuehi and Onyedika in the list no doubt.
Your mate like the GENERAL ROAR led BENIN REPUBLIC are testing their chemistry against strong teams like SENEGAL but you are not ashamed to open your latrin mouth to say you are testing your chemistry against a weak sao tome…
Lol
Bro pathetic runs in your dna!
@Ugo, Thank u bro. Perhaps @ Monkey post just want the coach to fail for ego reason or with the mindset that his coach will return. Forgetting that if the coach fails, then it’s Nigeria’s collective failure.
You can’t build a new team entirely, and within the short time remaining, its chemistry and cohesion blending of the few new players with the old players
With the best list in ages, To top it all off we have done away with ABUJA STADIUM AND ARE BACK AT THE SLAUGHTER HOUSE AFTER OF COURSE A GOD WILLING REFURBISHED SURULERY. Looks like Super Eagles are back on track..wow just wow… I am impressed with this Developement
P.S. dot @Forumates please kindly may no mind to MONKEY POST OR MOCKERY POST. HE IS A Ghana man forming Nigeria he hates Nigeria best list.
Monkey post or whatever his name is doesn’t under
Chemistry probably he thought we are referring to laboratory conjuction where one can easly get results spontaneous but we ae talking about team chemistry that takes time to gel if we discard the majority of the team going to Nations cup in the name of trying new and younger players how do we integrate the players into the coach philosophy. Personally this is the fulcrum of team going to the nation’s cup. But my fear is we don’t really have good midfielders
A very good list lets see what this new guys will bring to the table. This coach may surprise us with good performances both in world cup qualifiers and Afcon.
The best SuperEagles list in a very long time. Taking a pay cut simply means you can’t interfere with his call up. This is the time to start looking for his possible AFCON squad. NOW LET US FLY LIKE AN EAGLE INTO THE FUTURE.
You get it @Ayphillydegreat!Look very much like an agreement between two parties
Thumbs up Brotherman AYTheGr8t.
You nailed it.
He might be going the Westerhoff route. Westerhoff was on the verge of leaving after the 92 AFCON. He was said to have accepted a pay cut from Senegal. However, the team was invited to the presidential villa by Aikhomu and Westerhoff used that opportunity to gain an indomitable access to the presidency that the then NFA were even begging him to request funds directly from the government for them to share.
If Peseiro win the AFCON or do really well in Ivory Coast if given a free hand to pick his team. They will return to the negotiating table. A friend of mine saw him at the Murtala Airport after an away qualifier and said he was amazed at his street smartness. That he was just dishing out $1, $5 and $10 dollar notes at every security interjection as if he grew up on the streets of Lagos. Typical of Portuguese.
I like how he turned to the youth and some not so much experienced players. With this list he has drastically reduced the average age of the SuperEagles and has introduced competition into the SuperEagles. Obviously, he’s not anywhere near the top coaches out there, but I’m yet to see any other coach in this world that can work with this NFF after the brouhaha of the last Female WorldCup.
His target is to win the AFCON. If our last outing at the AFCON is anything to go by that’s a tall order, but achievable.
I missed those LEGENDARY catch phrase of yours…lol
The last time was before EGUAPALACE (apologies to EDOMAN) unravelled badly in that infamous Second Round against the CARTHAGE EAGLES of TUNISIA
Lol! Mahmud na soooo E don tey. Glad we’re still here. A new season is upon us as we count down to Côte d’Ivoire.
Nice list, for a very long time pesero finally proved he is ready for afcon, he doesnt tolerat mediócracy, that is why we couldnt see musa,moffi akpoguma. many average players should prove a point now because iwobi,sanusi and omeruo will surely come back to take out 3 men from this list in the proper afcon. I would prefer awaziem to trust ekong in this game though becos the guy is in form.
The inclusion of tunarigha is marvelous, he will definately secure that right central back, the left side will be either ajayi or omeruo. I am so happy for the entire list. The new sheriff is in town, bonaboy orban and tunarigha. I cant wait to see this new eagles soar.
Another sweet news us the omission of that sick home based inclusive rules.
Welcome back Peseiro. I am keen to see how you will perform in a tournament environment.
This is a strong list, almost like overkill when you consider the calibre of the opposition and dead-rubber status of the encounter.
But Super Eagles fans won’t complain, by and large. A collection of tantalising fresh faces interspersed with welcoming returnees and a number of main-stayers.
What else could we have wished for?
The baptism of fire period of Peseiro should now be behind him. Super Eagles fans, and I guess his controversial NFF employers, will now not tolerate lukewarm performances peppered with poor results.
He has a solid collection of players to play with. It is now time to witness his much favoured flat 4-4-2 formation come alive as he wants it. If not, I will expect him to speedily knock that approach into a cocked hat in favour of a formation and philosophy that will work and one that will yield much fruits.
He is not a well liked Nigeria coach but there are a smattering of us fans willing to give him a second bite of the cherry.
Just take a look at this squad! Plus the Super Falcons, sorry, Super Eagles are returning to the Uyo stadium for home games.
Without much adminstrative chaps, something that is bread and butter for the NFF, then Peseiro has no excuse for not delivering the goods.
After all, if Waldrum can win doubters over after going at loggerheads with the NFF, then Peseiro has a template with which to emulate when the going gets tough with the crazy Glass House.
Is anyone taking monkey post seriously? A good list. Nobody is talking about osayi Samuel. Is he injured?
Good Musa is out for good
If aribo does not handle the creative job well this time, he should be frozen out completely
I would have preferred a midfielders like nwibodo instead of Collins. We have more defenders in that team. Collins was an unnecessary inclusion.
Monkey Post you missed something
We are using this match to make oshimen score more goals to win top scorer because of apoty.
Also, this is like a practice match for the wc qualifiers.
So monkey stop your noise for 11 players on the street.
Uzoho
Aina
Bassey
Ndifi
Semi ajayi
Touringha
Chukwueze
Orban
Oshimen
Aribo
Boniface
Let us see what these new boys can do from the beginning.
We should include Samuel, still try to convince Eze and olise
Great list, I’m very happy with this lists hopefully the coaches will know how to utilizes these ballers. We just need two or three new additions, Nathan Tella should be closely monitored, good player we need him. We need two new attacking midfielders then we can compete with world bests
Thumbs up brotherman SunnyB.
Players that will push for places in the next list are, Tolu Arokodare, Paul Mukairu, Paul Onuachu, Babatunde Jimoh Akinsola, Alvin Okoro, Samson Tijani, Valentin Ozornwafor, Jack Ipalibo, Kelechi Nwakali, Cyriel Dessers, Olisa Ndah, Francis Momoh.
Soonest we might be seeing a left footed defender playing the left sided side of the Central defense with the bassey and tournariga in the team.
Alhassan is a benchwormer couldn’t even start non of their champion league matches and you want him to be invited
Thumbs up Sisterwoman Mercy. You are right.
This is the first time in years we have a nearly non-controversial list. 98% of the players deserve it.
However,some wuestions still come to mind.
When last did Uzoho play for his club ?
How come Onyedika got invited and Alhassan Yusuf got neglected ?
The handlers need to start working toward including Tella in the team.
Things can be perfect but it is always better to apply same rule to every action.
Alhassan is benching while onyedika has been a starter for his club.so i don’t see how alhassan deserve a call up ahead of onyedika. Who u should be saying should not have been called should b aribo.that one has been a bench warmer for Southampton.
If number of minutes played for clubside is a criteria, then Alhassan is ahead of Onyeka and Onyedika is ahead of both. Onyeka is a man marker, Onyedika is Oliseh breed, and Allhassan plays like Kante. The coach needs to determine what he wants. No doubt all the players have domething to offer.
Alhassan lost his place due to injury and he is fully fit now. He was a regular before he got injured. He has played in all their recent matches coming in as a substitute.
This list is not a reflection of Nigeria’s Federal character. At least Ahmed Musa should be there to represent the northern states.
Here comes the problem of Nigeria personified in one comment
Nna Na wa o @AKP I am shocked. Some Nigerians don’t want better days for Nigeria it is clear with @AKo Amadi’s Shocking comment.
It is as if he have been living under a rock for how many years to even think of Musa and the not reflection of Nigeria’s federal character he clearly appreciates a backward Quota system structure quite sad that some of our brother’s have this mindset in this day and age SAD!!
This is a rare list of players from Super Eagles gaffer, Bravo.
Oga Paseiro hasn’t convinced me since he started his journey with Super Eagles, but this list is proven to me that the gaffer is not smiling, though.
Kai, I like one thing about Oga Paseiro kę. He’s very passionate when it comes to Super Eagles of Nigeria. He loves Super Eagles too much. coaching the Super Eagles is a pride for him, but he has to show his distinct while his the right coach for the job.
Hmm, that said. Super Eagles is a big team that has a variety of talented players to form a killer squad. No coach will have excuses when he fails to win trophies for Nigeria, and it shouldn’t take long to rebuild the team because we have good players that play in decent leagues. Any coach that fails to prove his worth within two to three years should not be allowed to continue.
There are two things in football. One is to have a caliber of players to execute his plans, while the other thing is to know how to make use of the players.
We witnessed that when Super Falcons faced England in just concluded women world cup. We had a squad that could beat England, but the coach got his tactics wrong. He did not know or trusted some of his players in the team, which was why Nigeria got nocked out of the tournament.
More so, Uzoho is not better than Nwabali. In fact, the number spot should be between Nwabali and Adeleye.
The new players should show their worth. Otherwise, the likes of Iwobi and Dessers will join the team for the next Afcon tournament in Ivory Coast.
I know NFF inside out. They are playing a political game with us, the fans, but only the visionary man can understand this.
NFF is allowing the coach to pick his choice of players but when is about to make the final list of the Afcon ę hęęęę, they will bring their players in to replace the current list of the players.
For me, I remain calm watching the Oga Rohr and NFF matters.
All I can say is to pray and give my support to our darling Super Eagles. I wish Oga Paseiro good luck in his journey. Ire o. God bless Nigeria!!!
Quite a decent list with new addition like in form Boniface Victor and Gift Orban. Wished Kelechi Nwakali and Awaziem Chidozie were invited. Both play in the elite division in Portugal with Chavas and Boavista respectively. Kelechi Nwakali is Eagles’ best midfielder in Europe at the moment. His passing and shooting range set him miles ahead of other players, Iwobi and Ndidi.
Thumbs up brotherman Fid. Nwakali is far better than most other Super Eagles midfielders.
He plays like Kevin Debruyner. We need Nwakali ASAP. Even Jack Ipalibo is good.
@Fid Kelechi Nwakali needs to prove to us again why he was the best player in the WC under 17 2015 and won MVP above Osimhen, yes he is good I saw one or two of his performances this season for his club Chaves. contrast from Osimhen, Nwakali’s career.
But he needs to change his mindset and arrogance I have noticed he has become a little bit more humble that will stand him in goodstead to regain his past form that almost shot him to the books of Arsenal first team.
Until then he should set Super Eagles as a goal as well making his way back to English Premier League as a key player age still dey however he should soon shape up he is not getting any younger @Ignatus my guy Ipabilo is not SE material now 25 years old playing ina struggling greek club thats not the standard of Super Eagles aor at least shouldn’t be we need players who have ambition and of course talent to reach the heights of Osimhen, the kind of ambition the likes of Boniface, Orban, Awoniyi, Chukwueze co are showing. thats the standard SE should be setting for our Internationl team otherwise all we will ever have is mouth.
That is a big fat lie, i personaly is the GF of be a and i have rated him above mikel obi here in this forum, having a long argument with Dr drey and manu others here, however nwakali have shut me and jimmy ball up, that we nolonger mention his name, the have failed to improve and makes me regrets that bunch of expectations, he couldnt make it to spanish first division and he wasnt the best in the second either, i watch him play against guinea in afcon, he couldnt prove better than aribo that we constantly critisized, he is too slugish, that is his biggest problem, even aribo seems smarter than him in the field that is why eguavon another nwakali fan stoped using him. Currently his move to chaves was a wakeup call for him, but when i watch them brused by a fellow avarage portuguis team 5 0, nwakali was on for 90 minutes, i began to question my hope for nwakali, i knew pesero will not call him, bcos pesero is portuguis and knows his league better, for him to ignore nwakali shows nwakali doesnt deserve a call. He couldnt do it holand,spain, now portugal, i expected him to unlish all those under 17 talent in this portugal games, becos in portugal there is room for classic display, he soppose to be the sole carea of the squad. If nothing reasonable happens in the nest three montjs nwakali should forget eagles.
Good list I must say.But why all these UN forces and ECOMOG soldiers against Sao Tome ??? Only Orban and Boniface with Awoniyi are ok for this match in striking position.
Wow! Nice list.
Aribo’s inclusion is somehow understandable this time because of Iwobi’s absence. On a very good day, he’s game is a bit similar to that of Iwobi’s if he gets himself well.
Waiting to see Osigwe or an Improved Okoye now that he plays for Udinese.
Chuba Akpom just came from injury and only played his first game yesterday.
Nathan Tella needs to settle in his new environment. Those are the names I want to see. Or maybe Yusuf when he finally gets himself by playing first team football but you see players like
Nwakali a journeyman with nothing to show, super Eagles is not a rehab and 2014 under 17 was played many years ago, Nwobodo ? A player in retirement league can’t be chosen ahead of Indidi, Onyeka, Onyedika, even Yusuf so he has to wait for his time. We can’t replace the whole team all in the name of rebuilding. There are some old bad legs that’ll pick up if they play with new good players.
Nice list ones again.
I pray Paseiro gets it well. I’m happy he won the battle ahead of Eguavoen, Salisu and co.
@Sean… when Obinna Nwobodo was at Goztepe in Turkey,I watched him every weekend closely for two years. When that guy was already an astute midfielder at AFCON U-20 2015 with Manu Garba where he fractured his leg, Ndidi was still a central defender basically. I am not sure even now if Ndidi is better than him. He was in Turkey and proved himself already, so don’t tell me he is in a retirement league. Agreed MLS is still improving but they contribute players to USA men’s national and don’t tell me Nigeria SE standards these days is any better than USMNT. I think USA can easily defeat the current crop of Super Eagles that we have.
@JimmyBall I used to be on the same page with you on some matters especially pertaining to Rohr however in recent times I must our idea’s regarding SE and Players are different in some regards. Infact Ndidi has been Leicester City best player in the Championship this season he has even been transformed to a Box to Box attacking Midfielder a quality we always new he possessed with his Box to Box runs in some games when Leicester were doing well in the Premier League. Nwobodo is not close to Ndidi and even the Mls is weaker league than the English Championship.
PS. Nigerians just need to be happy sometimes this is the strongest team we have assembeled in very very very long time.
with the exception of injured Iwobi, Osayi – samuel, and Sanusi this is our best line up. also Alhasan Yusuf and tella may get a chance but the midfielders selected for this match are merited already, Usman Sadiq i still have faith in and as he regains his best form since his horrific injury that kept himout for while. Albeit the attackers called up are Much deserved.
And if we get Udojie and maybe Olise and Okoli lol then we are complete but even at that this team selected by Pisero is strong and USMNT will not stand this team we are stronger than them on paper and god willing on the field when these current set of players gel
THE Coach and new sports minister has really tried to make us (Nigerians) happy and you can see in the squad.
Let us band together and support him
Lol! @ Jimmyball, all these in the name of promoting Nwobodo? The last time I checked USA played 1-1 against Jamaica and lost on Penalties to Panama after 1-1 regulation time. But to you, they can EASILY you say, beat Nigerian team?
You watched Nwobodo for two years in Turkey but here we watched Indidi claimed one of the best defensive midfielder in England for many seasons before injuries dropped his form, we watched Aribo became Rangers postal boy, they even got to the final of Europa League before making move to Southampton. You don’t like Indidi and Aribo because of their present form but holding on to Nwakali and Nwobodo based on their past forms. Thank God you no be Paseiro. He has already picked the players he believes in . It’s free world you can form your own Super Eagles and pack Nwobodo, Nwakal and Junior Ajayi there nothing spoil.
@Ugo Iwunze and @Sean… Never have you read anywhere in my comment where I said Ndidi is not good or should be dropped. I am just saying if the likes of Frank Onyeka and Joe Aribo are going to continue getting invites to Super Eagles then it’s clear some players have godfathers working for them. Aribo almost didn’t play any football last season and we all know he can’t play African football… He has no creativity and he is weak. There is nothing special about Aribo and Frank Onyeka, infact I dont think the quality they possess match up to any standard of solution we picture for Super Eagles midfield. Players like Frank and Aribo can’t ever be trusted in midfield against the likes of Senegal, Cameroon, Ghana and Zambia… let’s not deceive ourselves. Some of you still mentioning Destiny Udogie, Michael Olise, Caleb Okoli, and players like that are just being plain naive… these players don’t want to play for Nigeria, so we should not even be mentioning them at all. Reading comments of some folks here, you will wonder if they just don’t read or hear updates from camps of these players who want nothing with Nigeria. We all know names like Onyedikachi, Yusuf and others who are potential Super Eagles players but we must not forget these are mostly untested players are the national level. I am hoping they can help us but there is nobody on this forum that will say Obinna Nwobodo is not a better player compared to Frank Onyeka or Joe Aribo. We have seen it that Aribo can’t compete in Africa, do we need 100caps for him before we know his true level? Common guys… Super Eagles handlers should look towards Ndidi, Iwobi,Nwobodo, Alhassan, Nnadi, Akpom, Akinsanmiro and Onyedikachi for our midfield solution. The boys Nnadi and Akinsanmiro are ready and they play better football than Frank Onyeka and Joe Aribo. That’s my take…
@Jimmyball thanks for clearing it up with Ndidi matter. Although I know you are not his biggest fan lol
However with Frank Onyeka he is a strong player on the international stage more than club however his case is different from some other players which heads( We all know who) will claim “but, he is a good international performer” even if dude is station on bench for club. at least, in Onyeka’s case, when he is fit he is actually involved in all of Brentford games albeit his mostly of the bench. But he comes on and contributes game in game out when not injured and we all see how well Brentford performs since promotion.
Onyeka if we look back to Ghana WC knock out 2nd leg. He was Nigeria’ best player on the pitch more effective than Osimhen some will even argue including I that his Injury was one of the main cost to us in that 2nd leg in Abuja. So Onyeka is very good in Super Eagles and he plays and contributes his quota to a very good Epl side punching way above thier weight
As for Aribo we all see how he crashed the bar against Bissau in Bissau.. don’t forget his goal against Brazil. Dude is just still shell shocked about the toughesness of the epl… but as the championship always does it sharpens players ability up sometimes its a good reset button and training exhibition for the real thing, yes Alhasam Yusuf would have been good to try out over And maybe drop Jamilu Collins and take an Xtra player but, I think Iwobi’s position would be that. I think we will take an extra midfielder to defender so Iwobi for Collins Maybe Aribo for Alhasan Yusuf. But dropping Onyeka is not good you will see What I mean.
@Ugo Iwunze… I agree with your points and will give Onyeka and Aribo breathing space for a few more games… World cup qualifier proper is coming and they will all still be involved, so we will assess them still. But mind you… it just one dribbling move Onyeka pulled in Kumasi against Ghana. The return leg at Abuja, it was his delayed close-up marking on Partey that allowed Partey enough space to sting Uzohu from the edge of the box. Frank Onyeka it was who was largely guilty for that Thomas Partey strike… so, while I know we can’t judge a player’s all-round game by one mistake, we must equally not sing Franks’s praise too much just for that 180° change in direction he did against 3Ghana defenders in Kumasi. All we demand is that Nigerian players shift gears and up their games… that’s why I hit on Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze. I am not easily fooled by flashiness clouding the real substance of efficiency with end-delivery or end-product…
I will be looking forward to NFF fast-tracking the invitation and bedding of the following players to plug some yawning gaping holes in problematic positions as well as adding quality and long term options to others:
1. Goalkeeper ATUBOLU (FREIBURG)
2. Centre Back TOSIN ADARABIOYO (FULHAM ??)
3. Central/Attacking Midfielder MICHAEL FOLORUNSHO ( VERONA)
4. Winger NATHAN TELLA ( BAYER LEVERKUSEN)
5. Striker/Attacking Midfielder CHUBA AKPOM (AJAX)
This 5 players in the MIX will give us a SHOUTING chance of bringing the AFCON home come 2024!
With this pay cut, Amaju Pinnick cut from Peserio salary is gone! I am very sure that cut is between $30k-$40k. Nice deal for Amaju.
I do hope that we will not put too much pressure on Orban let him grow into the national team. Let his case not be like peter Ijeh and Imoh who were banging in the goals in Sweden and Belgium only to struggle with the national team because of the burden of expectations.
@toni what is wrong with some of you Imoh Ezekiel story was clear. He was to be drafted in to WC 2014 to gain the much needed games to sign for Tottenham Hotspurs back then he was criminally not included because Keshi (Rip) took Agent bribes for some other players. it wa swell documented. the Move Botched because England at the time needed you to have more than 8 international games to make a move there. Nigeria had 4 warm and 4 WC games then 8 Ezekiel would have gone to Spurs as Ponchettino really wanted him but move botched because of lack of International exposure. Ezekiel accepted a move to Saude for money after the injustice THIS WAS WELL DOCUMENTED!!. How can you mix it up?. He was not even getting called up to begin with when he was on form lol.
because of the same tricks the NFF and Ex internationals tried to pull with Orban and Boniface keeping them aside for thier Yum Yum FC mediocre bunch something that the new Sports Minister has clearly nipped in the butt
Uzoho is a full time bench warmer in his club. 7 matches 0 appearance, yet the corrupt ones in the nff keep smuggling him into the national team.
This guy has refused to step-up and ir is wrong for the handlers to select him under no circumstances. His calamitous fumble costed us the WC and it is clear to know that he is on a decline.
Shame on whoever is smuggling this overhyped chap into the team.
We do have a very limited numbers of quality midfielders in Europe right now. The nff should start working on securing the services of players like Lesley ogochukwu(Chelsea) and Michael folorunsho(Verona).
@Mercy… I like the honesty of your contribution. Exactly… Quality midfield choices are few for us now in Europe, that’s why some of keep mentioning the likes of Akinsanmiro and Nnadi. In truth we know both those players are not less than 24yrs in actuality at the moment, so this is the right time to begin their integration. I have seen Daga, Eletu, Ogbelu, Akinsanmiro and Nnadi. Of these set of players any real football fan, especially one who has played the game and especially understand a real good midfielder traits will pick Akinsanmiro and Nnadi from the lot of these young players. The others will surely still blossom, Daga especially for instance, but the duo of Toochukwu Nnadi and Ebenezer Akinsanmiro hold the torch above all the others… If these two players were to have turned up for countries like France, Spain, Italy or England already, in any youth tournament we will be singing their names and calling for them daily on this forum… but because they are homebred Nigerians like we already know… We wont talk about them like the Lesleys, Olises and Udogies. Ugochukwu has already been called up by Thiery Henry to the French U-21 and it’s only a radical change of heart that will make him shift any attention Nigeria’s way now… I will suggest we forget these boys born abroad and focus on those amongst us, from home proper that we have seen and evaluated… the last U-20 team have atleast six quality players who have insane talent levels that we can groom… We know this. So we have stop throwing all these names like Atubolu in Freiburg and the rest of the haughty-bunch of foreign-borns… When Gernot Rohr was in-charge, he was courting a certain boy who was in Hoffenheim youth team… where is that lad today, what about Francis Agu then at Werder Bremen who shunned a call-up to SE while having only few caps till date for German U-21s. Just like Eberechi Eze, the whole buzz about him has quieted down, he has made his choice and gotten his competitive 2caps for England and God save him if he gets further caps from Southgate… Where is Abraham or Tomori today? Fools who think all of a sudden they will be more favored, preferred or popular than those who are England natives and first class sons. We don’t need to beg anyone to play for Nigeria, if they are willing they will come to us…
Bro, I am not the kind of person who get carried away with all these foreign born popping up here and there because I know their allegiance is always usually to their place of birth. However, in Lesley case we have outside chance because his uncle was once a Nigeria ex international.
The likes of Ebenezer, Eletu, Daga, Benjamin, you don’t know how over excited I am knowing we such abundant of talents. Write this down,these boys mentioned above will form the fulcrum of the team to the next wc.
@JimmyBall, so very -well put!
Our people tend to value anything foreign I mean, over value it, even if it is sometimes inferior to what we have on our hands. Part of the reason why some of these ridiculously over-rated foreign-born players disrespect us publicly if not humiliate us.
But some people, you just can’t reason with.
Brilliant and highly educative as usual. However, I need you to understand that my position on FOREIGN BORNS such as FOLORUNSHO and ATUBOLU stems from.the fact that they are REGULARS.in their clubsides and READY compared to NNADI, AKINSAMIRO etal who are not even included in their respective Clubsides SQUAD yet.
Before DAGA, NNADI, FREDERICK BENJAMIN, AKINSAMIRO, ELETU are ready, nothing wrong IMHO if we can get the ATUBOLUS, FOLORUNSHOS, TELLAS etc
@Mahmud Shuaib, thank you.
I wasn’t actually referring to you. You’re my buddy here. You have a good understanding of the issues.
We can all learn from each other.
Savvy opponents will look at our squad list, and they already know what our formation will be. The team list screams 4-4-2. The starting line up will invariably have 4 defenders, 2 midfielders, 2 wingers, and 2 strikers.
Against Nigeria, many opponents will park the bus, and/or take steps to neutralize our wingers.
The thing Peseiro needs to ensure is that the strikers we have on the pitch have enough service. Having good strikers on the pitch means nothing if they are starved of service. Crosses into the box, penetrating passes from the midfield. These need to be supplied adequately.
With Peseiro’s preference for 2 starting strikers, the formation options we have are 4-4-2 and 3-5-2.
It’s a very good list, no doubt. But I wish we had a mix of players that make us more flexible tactically.
For instance, if 4-4-2 is not working, and we want to switch to 3-5-2, we don’t have enough options in midfield for this formation. Our opponents will quickly see this, just by looking at the team list. So the strategy of a savvy opponent would be to frustrate us by clipping the wing play, knowing that from a tactical standpoint, we have no plan B.
This is what Tunisia did to us at the last Afcon, this is what Ghana did to us in the world cup qualifiers. We are setting ourselves up for this once again!
Even with this chink in our armour, we can still be successful if THE STRIKERS GET ENOUGH SERVICE.
This has to be the focal point of Peseiro’s strategy.
The SE midfield is a source of worry to me. With the exception of Iwobi, the rest are not puling their weights for their respective clubs. Ndidi rarely play 90mins for his championship club. Onyeka is always in and out of injury.Nwakali the less said about him the better. Aribo cannot be relied on to take a long distant shot nor long passes. Onyedika make a big mistake turning down AC Milan to sign for fc brugge. Again, he is yet to live up to what I expected of him.
Leaving the team with a lot of rookies with no footballing professional experience.
Good points Sisterwoman Mercy. You know football.
Accepting a reduction in salary is no guarantee that Peseiro will perform wonders.Money motivates in every profession.
Monkey Post you are not monkey you are a donkey; you think you are philosopher but you think like someone who is drunken on the road and would like to go his home and he does not know home way.
@Hassan Tia lol you have summed it all up about @DONKEY POST LOL HAHAHAHAHA!!!