Exclusive: Adepoju Urges Eguavoen To Call Up In-Form Players For World Cup Qualifiers

Former Nigeria international, Mutiu Adepoju, has stated that there is nothing wrong with interim Super Eagles Interim Coach Austine Eguavoen extending invitations to in-form players for the senior national team in the middle of qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Completesports.com reports

The Super Eagles recently lost 2-1 to Rwanda in their final 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo. The defeat, which came after Eguavoen made several changes to the squad, marked his first loss since taking over the team during the qualifying campaign.

With the successful conclusion of the AFCON 2025 qualifying campaign, the Super Eagles A team now turn their focus to the 2026 World Cup African qualifying Group C fixtures. They will face Rwanda away and Zimbabwe at home in March 2025.

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Nigeria currently sit precariously in fifth position in the six-team Group C, with three points from four matches. They trail group leaders Rwanda (7 points), second-placed South Africa, third-placed Benin Republic (both also on 7 points), and Lesotho in fourth position with five points.

With calls for the inclusion of in-form players ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Adepoju, fondly hailed as the ‘Headmaster’ during his playing days, told Completesports.com that bringing in players excelling at their clubs could strengthen the team.

“I think players who are in-form and performing well at their clubs should be invited,” Adepoju said.

“Yes, there are players who have been with the team and have blended well, but the current performances of other players should also be considered.

“If players are doing very well at their clubs, I see no reason why they shouldn’t be called up to the Super Eagles.

“You see, mentioning names isn’t my way. However, if someone like Arokodare [Tolu Arokodare of KRC Genk] is performing well at his club and the coaches notice him, he could be invited to blend with the team’s formations and philosophy.

“I just believe that players who are performing well and are in good form should be given a chance,” Adepoju concluded.

By Austine Akhilomen