Super Eagles manager, Gernot Rohr, recently released the list of his 25-man squad for next month’s friendly matches against Ivory Coast and Tunisia. The games will be played in Austria on the 9th and 13th of October respectively. Among the 25 players invited is former U-17 goalkeeper Délé Alampasu while 6 players get their maiden call-ups. They are: Matthew Yakubu, Chidera Ejuke, Zaidu Sanusi, Samson Tijani, Cyriel Dessers and Frank Onyeka.
Alampasu was part of the side that won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2013, he has been capped once at senior level and currently plays for Latvian side, FK Ventspils.
In this piece, TOP SOCCER BLOG briefly looks at the 6 new invitees.
MATTHEW YAKUBU
21-year-old Yakubu has previously represented Nigeria at U-20 level. The promising goalkeeper plays for SKF Sered in Slovakia. He recently joined the club but has managed to establish himself as the first-choice ‘keeper.
CHIDERA EJUKE
Former U-17 and U-20 exciting winger, Chidera Ejuke, scored 9 goals in 25 appearances for Heerenveen in the Eredivise last season. His displays earned him a move to Russian giants CSKA Moscow this summer, and he has continued from where he stopped the last term with a goal in 3 matches so far. Having an end product to complement his dazzling displays on the wings may see him edge out the likes of Samuel Chukwueze in the Super Eagles lineup.
CYRIL DESSERS
Dessers is an experienced striker who currently plies his trade with Belgian side Genk. The 25-year-old was born to a Belgian father and a Nigerian mother and is eligible to represent Belgium or Nigeria. He opted to play for Nigeria and his performances last season earned him a call-up in March but couldn’t make his debut due to the coronavirus outbreak. Dessers was the joint top scorer in the Dutch Eredivise last season alongside Steven Berghuis — with 15 goals each. He moved from Heracles to Genk this summer and will provide competition for Victor Osimhen.
ZAIDU SANUSI
Sanusi is an exciting full-back who recently moved to Portuguese giants FC Porto, from Santa Clara. The 23-year-old boasts of energy, speed as well as excellent crosses and will likely displace Jamiu Collins as the Super Eagles first-choice left-back.
FRANK ONYEKA
Onyeka plays for FC Midtjylland in Denmark. The midfielder joined them from FC Ebedei in 2016. The 22-year-old has made more than 50 appearances for them so far. He won the Danish Super liga, and Cup in 2018/19.
SAMSON TIJANI
U-17 captain Tijani is the 6th of the newly invited players. He was the captain of the under-17 golden eaglets team that played in the 2019 U17 World Cup. He is on loan at TSV Hartberg from RB Salzburg.
