Remo Stars defender, Sodiq Ismail, says he would make Nigerians proud if selected to play for Super Eagles in Friday night’s FIFA World Cup USA/Canada/Mexico 2026 qualifier in Uyo, Completesports.com reports.
It’s Sodiq’s first call up to the senior National Team and he says he’s prepared, ready to give his 100% to ensure Super Eagles victory on Friday if Coach Finidi George gives him the chance to play.
“Like I always say, if given the chance, I’ll make Nigerians proud,” Sodiq said ahead of the long-anticipated clash.
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Sodiq also expresses his delight at playing alongside the ‘Big Boys’ of Nigerian football who are doing extremely well across some major Leagues in the World.
“It’s not easy. They are the big men of Nigerian football, but I’m coping and enjoying it. I’m also learning,” he said.
The strong defender speaks of the synergy between him and his fellow Remo Stars teammates which he admuts helped him get the Super Eagles call-up.
“I really thank God for everything. I’m grateful to my teammates at Remo Stars. They’re wonderful, supportive too. They are the reason I was invited”.
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Remo Stars coach, Daniel Ogunmodede, also shares in Ismael’s praises for those who helped shape his career, leading to his senior national team call up.
“I played under him at youth level in Remo Stars. I’m also happy that after his stint in Portugal, he’s back here at Remo Stars and I’m still playing under him.
“It has been a wonderful relationship such that I’ve continued to learn from him for my career,” Sodiq concluded.
By Sab Osuji in Uyo
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Sodiq is a decent right back.
For me, his strength is his deliveries into the box. He’s really good at this. So good, that I think if Onuachu is ever selected to start, a good strategy would be for Sodiq to also be on the pitch to feed him needed crosses.
Sodiq is also very strong on the tackle. Bone crunching tackles. Yes, it is a strength, but it can also be a weakness. Having observed him play, I noticed he often goes into challenges, sometimes recklessly. Tackling like that could result in gifting our opponents unnecessary freekicks and penalties. He has to be careful, especially if he’ll be dealing with Percy Tau and his bag of tricks. Percy will usually find his way into the opponent’s danger area, and he will take advantage of brash, ill timed challenges. He will fall to the ground like he’s been shot at the slightest contact.
Sodiq needs to be more measured in his tackling. Go hard, but make sure you touch the ball!
Another point I wish to address. At the last Afcon, I was impressed with SA’s holding midfielder Sithole (please do not call the lad Shithole). If he performs like he did at the Afcon, Ndidi and his other midfield soldiers have a battle on their hands. The midfield will be a critical battle ground. We can’t afford to gift it to them, like we did at the Afcon. Losing the midfield battle usually translates to losing the match. Refer to the Afcon final with Ivory Coast. We can’t let that happen again.
Finally, we need to start converting more of our chances! This for me is Finidi’s biggest task. Get our boys firing on all cylinders, scoring goals freely. We have the firepower upfront. With players like Lookman, Boni, Iheanacho, Chukwueze, Moffi, Onuachu and co., we should not be having problems with finishing.
And talking about Chukwueze, I’m often hard on him because I see so much potential in the lad. Pound for pound, players like Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, Rafinha, Bukayo Saka, Mo Salah, Riyadh Mahrez, and several other left-footed right wingers ARE NOT MORE SKILLFUL OR FASTER THAN CHUKWUEZE. The only thing that separates them from him is they can use both feet. Fortunately, Chuks can draw inspiration from his coach Finidi, who himself in his hey day was a wing wizard who could use both feet. Right or left, Finidi could whip quality crosses into the box. Chuks can also have that advantage. All it takes is a little hard work.
Well said @pompei my advice to Finidi. Ndidi.Onyeka.Allasan should start they are the best to handle south Africans tomorrow Allasan Yusuf is a very good mildfielder he should not be starting from the bench I prefer that guy to start ahead of Iwobi he can mark.run and give good pass to the strikers.4-3-3 formation Nwabali. Osayi.Ajayi.Bassey.Igboke.Ndidi.Onyeka.Alassan. Lookman.moffi.Iheanacho.this team is good to destroy south Africa.
Alhassan over Iwobi??Tell me it’s a joke!