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Super Eagles trio learn squad numbers ahead of new EFL season
Blackburn Rovers full-back Ryan Alebiosu, Cardiff City centre-back Gabriel Osho and midfielder Kelechi Nwakali have been allocated their squad numbers ahead of the new English Football League campaign.
Alebiosu will continue to wear the number two shirt at Blackburn Rovers after the club confirmed his squad number for the coming season. The full-back wore the same number during his first campaign at Ewood Park.
The shirt has become a familiar choice for Alebiosu, who also wore number two during previous spells with KV Kortrijk, St Mirren and Crewe Alexandra.
The 24-year-old was born in England but is cap-tied to the Super Eagles, meaning he remains committed to representing Nigeria at international level.
Osho, another England-born defender who is cap-tied to Nigeria, has been given the number four shirt by Championship newcomers Cardiff City.
The centre-back has worn a range of numbers during his career. He most notably used number two during his time in the Premier League with Luton Town, before changing to number three after joining AJ Auxerre.
Osho will now begin Cardiff City’s new Championship campaign with number four on his shirt as the club prepares for life in the second tier.
Nwakali, meanwhile, has retained the number 50 shirt ahead of his club’s opening fixture against Wigan Athletic in the EFL Cup.
The midfielder was part of the Nigeria side that won the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup and previously captained the Golden Eaglets. His opportunities in the first team were restricted last season, when he was made to play for the Under-21 side after falling out with former manager Conor Hourihane.
The situation has changed under new manager Daniel Stendel, with Nwakali returning to first-team involvement during pre-season.
He featured in friendlies against Scarborough Athletic and York City as he looks to establish himself again under the new boss.
The confirmation of the three squad numbers comes before the start of the new English Football League season, with Alebiosu keeping the number he wore last term, Osho beginning a new chapter at Cardiff City with number four and Nwakali remaining in the number 50 shirt.
The trio are among the Nigerian players preparing for the new campaign, with their respective clubs now having confirmed the numbers they will use.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel