Super Eagles head coach Rohr To Invite These 7 New Faces: Set to Names Squad This Week

Nigeria will play her final two games in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers at the end of this month, with Gernot Rohr set to release list of players anytime soon.  

The Super Eagles’ first game is against the Benin Republic in Cotonou on March 27 before playing host to Lesotho at the Teslim Balogun three days later.

While most regulars are likely to get called-up, Rohr has revealed some fresh faces would also be included.  

Let’s take a look at some of the players that could displace the regulars when Rohr names his squad.  

Taiwo Awoniyi (Mainz)

The 22-year-old has not had it easy at the senior level in his professional career. The Nigerian was part of the Golden Eaglets squad that conquered the world at the U-17 level in 2013. Although he hasn’t found his scoring boots recently, Rohr has revealed he is one of the players that could get an invitation.  

Terem Moffi (FC Lorient)

Terem Moffi is Nigeria’s breakout star this season. The childhood friend of Alex Iwobi is one of the revelations of the season in the French Ligue 1. Rohr recently spoke highly of him, and with Osimhen’s fitness in doubt, Moffi could get his chance next month.  

Josh Maja (Fulham FC):

While both Awoniyi and Moffi are yet to be called-up, Josh Maja already has the experience of playing for the Super Eagles in the 2-2 draw against Ukraine in September 2019. Rohr recently expressed his delight in Maja’s form, and that could see him get a call-up next month.  

Umar Sadiq (Almeria)

Umar Sadiq is one of the players that helped the Nigerian U23 team win the Bronze medal in the football event of the 2016 Olympics. The former Rangers star is on Rohr’s radar and could finally get his Super Eagles chance next month.  

Francis Uzoho (Apoel Nicosia)

Francis Uzoho is an established player in the Super Eagles team with 16 caps already. But he has not played for the team since he suffered that knee injury in Nigeria’s 1-1 draw with Brazil in 2019. The 22-year-old has seen his place taken by Maduka Okoye. Uzoho has returned to full fitness, but he had limited game time at the start of the season. However, his situation has gradually improved this year, making seven appearances for Apoel Nicosia, including the last three games. Although Rohr confirmed Okoye as Nigeria’s number one,  the 21-year-old’s form at Sparta Rotterdam could see Uzoho get his chance to stake a claim for the goalkeeping position.  

John Noble (Enyimba)

Rohr has always been criticised for not giving players from the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) a chance. Nonetheless, there’s a slim chance that Rohr could give room for one or two domestic league players when he names his squad.  

Kingsley Ehizibue (Cologne)

Kingsley Ehizibue should’ve made his debut for Nigeria last year after he was initially called up for the doubleheader against Sierra Leone. But the clash was postponed due to the coronavirus, and since then, he has been waiting.