Football enthusiasts have expressed strong confidence in Gernot Rohr’s 23-man squad for the crucial 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against the Chipolopolo of Zambia in Uyo on October 7.
China-based duo of captain John Mikel Obi and Odion Ighalo, as well as Chelsea wing-back Victor Moses complete a strong squad.
“I’m happy to be called up again because it’s always a great honour to play for my country,” Ighalo told BBC Sport.
“We know Zambia is a strong team and they will come with full determination in Uyo, we cannot not engage in irrelevant pre-match talking but deliver on the pitch.
“I’ve never played at the World Cup and like my other colleagues we all want to be in Russia, this is like a final for us.”
Nduka Ugbade, former Flying Eagles Assistant Coach and Emmanuel Babayaro, ex-international have lauded the quality of players invited for the Oct. 7 Super Eagles clash with Zambia.
Ugbade expressed confidence that the players called up are good enough to defeat Zambia.
He also commended the inclusion of Super Eagles captain Mikel Obi and Victor Moses and defender Leon Balogun in the team.
But warned that Nigeria should not underrate the Zambians in their quest to pick the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup ticket.
“I am sure I was not the only Nigerian who was close to having heart attack when Moses went down and clutched his knee when his club Chelsea played against Arsenal on Sept.17.
“I was particularly worried, given Moses’ recent performance for Nigeria and how important he has become to the national team.
“But, thankfully, he shook off the knock and subsequently had a very good game.
“In plain language, Moses has missed too many recent Nigeria games and the team has suffered without him. Off the top of my head, I can’t remember the last time he had a poor game.
“It will be interesting to see him again combine well with Odion Ighalo who also likes to dart to the wings, which will keep the Zambian defenders busy all through the game,” Ugbade said.
Also, Emmanuel Babayaro sees no major errors in Rohr’s list, as there were no major changes, except for some few inclusions to the team.
Babayaro noted that the inclusion of Hull City’s Olaoluwa Aina, and the home-based duo of Ifeanyi Ifeanyi and Afeez Aremu, to the 23-man team list was a welcome development.
“In my opinion, Aina has an edge over Ebuehi because of his physical style of play, an area where Ebuehi is yet to convince Rohr, although he is technically sound and extremely quick in turning defence into attack.
“Even though Rohr still views Shehu Abdullahi as his first-choice right-back, I think Aina will indeed give Abdullahi a strong fight for the team’s right back position,” the former Olympic team player said.
He hailed the return of Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi because of his creativity.
“It will indeed be an uphill struggle for the Zambians to pin the skillful player down to a position, as he is used to drifting wide every now and then,” Babayaro added.
If Nigeria wins the tie, they will seal their sixth World Cup appearance.
Group B Standings
Nigeria 10 points
Zambia 7 points
Cameroon 3 points
Algeria 1 points
Super Eagles 23-man squad:
Goalkeepers
Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United, South Africa); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (FC IfeanyiUbah); Ayodele Ajiboye (Plateau United FC)
Defenders
William Troost-Ekong (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); Abdullahi Shehu (Anorthosis Famagusta, Cyprus); Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05, Germany); Elderson Echiejile (Sivasspor FC, Turkey); Uche Agbo (Standard Liege, Belgium); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Ola Aina (Hull City, England)
Midfielders
John Mikel Obi (Tianjin Teda, China); Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Oghenekaro Etebo (CD Feirense, Portugal); John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Mikel Agu (Bursaspor FC, Turkey)
Strikers
Ahmed Musa and Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England); Odion Ighalo (Chang Chun-Yatai, China); Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England); Anthony Nwakaeme (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel)
Standby
Dele Alampasu (Cesarense FC, Portugal); Tyronne Ebuehi (ADO Den Haag, The Netherlands); Aaron Samuel (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Afeez Aremu (Akwa United); Ifeanyi Ifeanyi (Akwa United).
Anthony Nlebem
