Osimhen, Okoye, Olawoyin Debuts in Finidi’s 26-man Super Eagles Squad
With the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against South Africa and Benin looming, former Nigeria international Finidi George is expected to make his mark on the Super Eagles’ lineup with some strategic player selections. Nigerian football experts predict that the squad will feature the return of Napoli star Victor Osimhen and goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, as well as a debut appearance for promising winger Olawoyin.
Early in June, Nigeria will trade tackles with South Africa and the Benin Republic in matchdays three and four of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The Super Eagles will be all out for victory against the Bafana Bafana and the Squirrels, having dropped crucial points against Lesotho and Zimbabwe last year.
Head coach Finidi George will be expected to submit the list of players he would need to prosecute these important games in the next few days.
In this piece, however, Soccernet.ng‘s Imhons Erons looks to flash the light on the players who have been excellent in recent weeks for their clubs and could get the job done for Nigeria.
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali, Francis Uzoho, Maduka Okoye
Finidi was in the Jose Peseiro-led coaching crew that decided on making Stanley Nwabali Nigeria’s first choice at the last Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.
After seeing how impressive Nwabali was at the AFCON, Finidi would likely continue with the Chippa United goalie.
Maduka Okoye has been out of the Super Eagles for a while, even missing the AFCON.
But the Udinese goalkeeper is Nigeria’s only shot-stopper playing regularly for a club in one of Europe’s top five leagues.
Okoye has been a consistent and impressive feature for Udinese in Serie A, and it is about time he is welcomed back into the national fold.
Read Also:
Francis Uzoho remains a competent backup for the Super Eagles.
Defenders (full-backs): Bright Osayi-Samuel, Ola Aina, Jamilu Collins, Bruno Onyemaechi.
Zaidu Sanusi is still injured, leaving Finidi with the choice of Jamilu Collins and Bruno Onyemaechi at left-back.
This is also an area where Finidi can show his grasp of talents in the local scene, with an exciting NPFL left-back capable of forcing his way to recognition.
Ola Aina and Bright Osayi-Samuel can continue to push themselves for the right-back role until Tyronne Ebuehi returns from injury.
Centre-backs: Gabriel Osho, Tanimu Benjamin, Kenneth Omeruo, Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi.
With William Troost-Ekong out injured, the experience of Semi Ajayi and Kenneth Omeruo cannot be underestimated.
Calvin Bassey is one of Peseiro’s best gifts to Nigeria at centre-back, and the Fulham man should be one of the first names on the team list.
Finidi invited Gabriel Osho for the friendlies against Ghana and Mali in March, but an injury forced out the Luton Town star.
He is back from the sidelines and has made a couple of appearances in the Premier League, which is enough reason for Finidi to eye him again.
Finidi gave Tanimu Benjamin his Super Eagles bow against Ghana, with the former Bendel Insurance man doing enough to merit another call.
Chidozie Awaziem can sit this one out after his blunder against Mali, while there will be more opportunities for Gent’s Jordan Torunarigha and Slavia Prague’s Igoh Ogbu.
Midfielders: Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Ibrahim Olawoyin, Frank Onyeka, Raphael Onyedika, Ikenna Cooper.
After an excellent AFCON, there is no way any coach is overlooking Brentford’s Frank Onyeka.
Wilfred Ndidi has just won the Championship with Leicester, while Raphael Onyedika’s Club Brugge are also closing on the league title in Belgium.
