By Akinwale Kasali
On Friday 26th March, 2021, the Super Eagles of Nigeria will file out against the Squirrels of Benin Republic at the Stade L’ Mitea in Cotonou, the Nation’s Capital for the 2022 African Cup of Nations tournament in Cameroon.
Having lost 2-1 to the Coach Gernot Rohr team in the first leg at the Godswill Obot Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State in match day two of the Qualification series, the Squirrels are battle ready to get the maximum three points to boost their chances of qualification for the Continental showpiece.
For the Crocodiles of Lesotho, having lost 5-2 at home in Maseru, the Country’s Capital in the first leg, the Southern African Country will play the Super Eagles in the final match of the Qualifiers at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, Nigeria.
The Super Eagles top its Group with Eight Points, needing at least a win to book their place at the tournament slated for next year, having recorded two wins and two draws.
Rohr has invited 23-Players to prosecute the match. The Camp has over 80 percent of the players invited already in camp for the double header.
Kelechi Iheanacho of Leicester City Football Club in England, who is presently in top form, has scored Five goals in his last two appearance. In a video recently that went viral, the FIFA Under-17 World Cup winner promised to repeat the feat for the national side during the Qualifiers.
The team has, however, promised to give the nation a good result in their matches, and book a place at the Continental showpiece.
Rohr in his words said he is certain that the nation would qualify for the Continental showpiece as the form of his players for their respective Clubs would metarmophose in their performance for the National side.
The players invited by Coach Rohr are:
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (APOEL Nicosia, Cyprus); John Noble (Enyimba FC); Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands)
Defenders: Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Chidozie Awaziem (FC Boavista, Portugal); William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Fulham FC, England); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Tyronne Ebuehi (FC Twente, The Netherlands)
Midfielders: Oghenekaro Etebo (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Abdullahi Shehu (Omonia Nicosa, Cyprus); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Unattached); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Sadiq Umar (Almeria FC, Spain); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Samuel Kalu (FC Girondins Bordeaux, France); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France)
Standby: Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Henry Onyekuru (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Peter Olayinka (Slavia Praha, Czech Republic); Terem Moffi (FC Lorient, France); Paul Onuachu (KRC Genk, Belgium); Michael Olise (Reading FC, England); Adekunle Adeleke (Abia Warriors).
All hands will be on deck as hostilities in the African Continent commence at the weekend to determine the countries whose flags will be hoisted come 2022 in Cameroon.
