Nigeria announced their 23-man squad for March’s double-header against Guinea-Bissau on Thursday, with Jose Peseiro unveiling a star-studded squad.
However, while the Super Eagles can boast immense strength in depth, there are some high-profile absentees from Peseiro’s squad.
Here are the biggest omissions.
William Troost-Ekong
The centre-back featured more for Nigeria during 2022 than any other player, but he’ll miss their first matches of 2023 after sustaining an injury.
Troost-Ekong has been sidelined since Salernitana’s Serie A match against Hellas Verona in February, and his absence will be a loss.
Leon Balogun
Another key defensive absentee, Balogun has made just 12 appearances for Queen’s Park Rangers this term, and he’s currently laid out with a calf injury.
Ola Aina
Such a useful option for Nigeria, Aina’s capacity to play in either full-back position, as part of a back three, or in a more advanced role should have made him a shoo-in for the Eagles squad.
However, suspension means that Peseiro hasn’t opted to include him in the Nigeria 23.
Taiwo Awoniyi
There are hopes that Awoniyi is nearing a return to the Nottingham Forest first team as he continues his comeback from a groin injury.
However, having not featured since January, Peseiro hasn’t risked gambling on the forward’s fitness.
Nigeria are hardly short of options.
Folarin Balogun
A revelation in Ligue 1 this season with Stade de Reims, Balogun has scored 16 goals in 26 league outings since arriving on loan from Arsenal to rival Kylian Mbappe for the Golden Boot.
He’s eligible for the United States and England, but his form has got Super Eagles fans hoping that he might be called up for the West African giants.
Gift Orban
Why on earth has Peseiro not moved heaven and earth to fasttrack Orban into his squad?
The Belgium-based frontman was top scorer in Norway last season, and has been magnificent since arriving in the Jupiler Pro League with KAA Gent.
He’s scored nine goals in his last four matches, and has been displaying better form than Victor Osimhen since the start of the month!
Oghenekaro Etebo
Back in action in Greek football with Aris Thessaloniki, there were expectations that Etebo might return to the Super Eagles fold.
Instead, he misses out while Brentford’s Frank Onyeka has been called.
Umar Sadiq
What a difference a year has made for Sadiq.
A year ago, he was finally begun to prove himself as a potential option for the Super Eagles, but a ruptured cruciate ligament put paid to that, and he’s still some way away from a return.
Chuba Akpom
Another former Arsenal star, Akpom has been named Player of the Month for the third time this season as he enjoys a remarkable return to prominence with Middlesbrough.
He’s scored 23 goals in 30 Championship outings this term, and while he hasn’t yet featured for the national side, the Super Eagles must surely start considering him.
Chuba Akpom
Another former Arsenal star, Akpom has been named Player of the Month for the third time this season as he enjoys a remarkable return to prominence with Middlesbrough.
He’s scored 23 goals in 30 Championship outings this term, and while he hasn’t yet featured for the national side, the Super Eagles must surely start considering him.
