The Super Eagles will take on South Africa and Benin Republic in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in June.READ FULL ARTICLE>>>>
After two games in Group C, the Eagles have two points and are in third place behind leaders Rwanda and second-placed South Africa.
The Eagles could be without the likes of William Troost-Ekong, Moses Simon, Tyronne Ebuehi, and Zaidu Sanusi.
In the event of these players missing the doubleheader, Completesports.com‘s JAMES AGBEREBI looks at seven players who should be considered for invitation.
Gift Orban (Striker: Olympique Lyon):
Since his first call-up to the Super Eagles in September 2023, in the final qualifiers against Sao Tome and Principe, Gift Orban has been overlooked in subsequent invitations.
His early struggles at Olympique Lyon could be blamed for his omission from the AFCON 2023 squad.
But things seem to be looking good for Orban as he scored in back-to-back games for Lyon in April.
One of the goals was in the French Cup tie against Valenciennes, which saw Lyon qualify for the final.
The 21-year-old’s form should be a welcome development for the Eagles as they look forward to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in June.
Henry Onyekuru (Left-Winger: Al Fayha):
The Nigerian forward is having a memorable first season at Saudi Arabia club Al Fayha.
In 27 league appearances, Onyekuru has scored 10 goals and provided three assists.
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This is the first time he will hit double digits since scoring 14 league goals for Galatasaray in the 2018/19 season.
There is a possibility that he will surpass the feat judging by his impressive form in front of goal so far.
Onyekuru should be a good addition to the team for the qualifiers since he is no stranger to the Eagles, having been part of the AFCON 2019 and 2021 squads.
Chidera Ejuke (Left-Winger: Royal Antwerp):
One player who deserves a recall to the Super Eagles ahead of the qualifiers is Chidera Ejuke.
Following a not-too-impressive loan spell at Hertha Berlin, Ejuke has gotten his career back on track thanks to his performance for Royal Antwerp in another loan move.
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Ejuke has scored three goals and provided four assists in 24 league matches for Antwerp.
Even though it is looking very likely that Antwerp would not retain their league title, Ejuke played a key role as they reached the Championship playoffs.
With such impressive form, it would be important for the skillful forward to be back in the Eagles to help reignite their qualifying campaign.
Maduka Okoye (Goalkeeper: Udinese):
It was not the best of starts to life at Udinese as Maduka Okoye struggled to get minutes.
All that is now in the past following Okoye’s emergence as the first choice for the Serie A club.
His impressive performance in goal earned him the Udinese Player of the Month for February.
Although Stanley Nwabali is now the first choice for the Eagles, Okoye’s return should bring competition among the goalkeepers.
In an interview on Udinese’s website in February, Okoye indicated his interest in returning to the Eagles.
Ibrahim Olawoyin (Midfielder: Rizespor):
The former Enugu Rangers and Abia Warriors winger has been magnificent for Rizespor in the Turkish Super Lig this season.
Olawoyin has provided two assists and has scored six goals in 30 league matches.
On Sunday, he provided an assist in Rizespor’s 3-0 home win against Antalyaspor.
Prior to Sunday’s game, he scored a goal in each of his last three games.
His only call-up to the Eagles was against Mexico in a friendly game in the USA in 2021.
The 26-year-old was an unused substitute in the friendly as a Super Eagles squad made up of home-based players lost 4-0.
But with his performance for Rizespor, Olawoyin has what it takes to do well for the Eagles if given the opportunity.
Emmanuel Dennis (Striker: Watford):
The forward is beginning to find his scoring boots again at Watford after a disastrous loan spell at Istanbul Basaksehir.
Dennis has scored four goals in 15 league games for Watford, where he is on loan from Nottingham Forest.
Also, he won Watford’s March Goal of the Month award for his strike in the 2-2 home draw against Leeds United and has featured in all their fixtures in April.
Dennis was in the Super Eagles provisional 40-man squad for the AFCON 2023 before he was dropped when the final list was announced.
The former Club Brugge star has unfinished business in the Eagles, and he can contribute immensely to their quest for the 2026 World Cup ticket.
Kingsley Ehizibue (Right-Back: Udinese):
The former Netherlands youth defender’s first call-up to the Eagles was in March 2020 under Gernot Rohr for a 2021 AFCON qualifier against Sierra Leone.
However, the game was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and he has never been called up again for the Eagles.
But in an interview in April 2023, Ehizibue told Goal that he is still interested in featuring for the Eagles.
“For real, it would be like making a dream come true because I used to watch Nigeria playing in the World Cup, so to wear that jersey was the goal for every kid.
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“So, I will do everything possible to make it happen. I’ve played with guys that represent the national team in the Netherlands Germany, and I’m so proud of them.”
Ehizibue can back his push for a call-up due to the fact that he is a regular for Udinese.
So far this season, he has made 17 appearances for the Serie A club and has not missed any of their games this monthREAD FULL ARTICLE>>>>
