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Super Eagles’ 26-man simulated squad for 2022 World Cup: Osimhen in, Iheanacho out

Published

3 years ago

6:42 am

Super Eagles’ 26-man simulated squad for 2022 World Cup: Osimhen in, Iheanacho out

Nigeria didn’t qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup after falling on the ultimate hurdle to everlasting rivals Ghana in March

After three consecutive participation in 2010, 2014, and 2018, Nigeria is not going to be on the 2022 FIFA World Cup after shedding out to the Black Stars of Ghana within the ultimate qualifying playoffs.

Nations that certified for the 2022 Mundial in Qatar have been releasing their squad listing for the match forward of FIFA’s November 14 deadline.

However which of Nigeria’s military of gifted gamers would have made the Tremendous Eagles’ 26-man listing had the three-time African champions booked a ticket to Qatar 2022? Soccernet.ng’s Imhons Erons makes the picks.

Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Omonia Nicosia), Maduka Okoye (Watford), Adebayo Adeleye (Hapoel Jerusalem)

An unpleasantly simple option to make for the pair of gloves between the goalposts.

Okoye and Uzoho (till lately) have lacked sport time for his or her golf equipment in England and Cypriot, respectively, and would have made the listing regardless attributable to an absence of Nigerian goalkeeping choices in Europe.

Adeleye, although, has impressed in Israel and deserves his latest call-ups.

Defenders: Tyronne Ebuehi (Empoli), Kevin Akpoguma (Hoffenheim), William Troost-Ekong (Watford), Kenneth Omeruo (Leganes), Leon Balogun (QPR), Semi Ajayi (West Brom), Calvin Bassey (Ajax), Chidozie Awaziem (Hajduk Break up)

Accidents have knocked out a few of Nigeria’s greatest full-backs, with the likes of Jamilu Collins, Ola Aina, and Zaidu Sanusi presently unavailable.

Ebuehi and Akpoguma at right-back, with Calvin Bassey and Chidozie Awaziem as left-back choices, would nonetheless be first rate alternate options.

Balogun’s expertise, Omeruo’s tenacity, Troost-Ekong’s vitality, and Ajayi’s solidity tip choice of their favour over South Africa-based Olisa Ndah and Sochaux’s Valentine Ozornwafor.

Midfielders: (captain) Ahmed Musa (Sivasspor), Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester Metropolis), Oghenekaro Etebo (Aris FC), Frank Onyeka (Brentford), Raphael Onyedika (Membership Brugge), Alex Iwobi (Everton), Joe Aribo (Southampton), Moses Simon (Nantes), Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal), Ademola Lookman Atalanta), Emmanuel Dennis (Nottingham Forest)

In defensive midfield, Ndidi, Onyeka, and Onyedika present satisfactory cowl for the defence. Etebo, Iwobi, and Aribo arrange additional ahead to lit the inventive spark for the assault.

Out on the fitting flank, Chukwueze and Dennis are two of Nigeria’s greatest flying forwards on their day. Whereas on the alternative flank, Moses Simon and Ademola Lookman can torment opposing fullbacks all match lengthy.

The 4 wingers are versatile sufficient to swap positions in-game, offering the supervisor with quite a few tactical tweak choices.

Forwards: Victor Osimhen (Napoli), Paul Onuachu (KRC Genk), Terem Moffi (Lorient), Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest)

Qatar 2022 would have been the Victor Osimhen World Cup, and it’s left to the creativeness how a lot harm he would have brought on groups as Nigeria’s first-choice striker.

The Napoli man would have had ready deputies within the prolific duo of Onuachu and Moffi.

Forest’s Awoniyi completes a fearsome-looking assault that would have been one in all Nigeria’s greatest on the World Cup ever.

Kelechi Iheanacho has regressed at Leicester Metropolis this season, and he misses out. Cyriel Dessers and Umar Sadiq are out injured.