The Super Eagles coach has handed invitations to six new players in the 25-man squad, which has got fans expressing delight at the calibre of players invited by coach Gernot Rohr for the friendly games against Ivory Coast and Tunisia in October.
CSKA Moscow forward Chidera Ejuke, FC Midtjylland’s midfielder Frank Onyeka, former U-17 captain Samson Tijani, new Porto signing Zaidu Sanusi , SKF Sered goalkeeper, Matthew Yakubu, and Genk forward Cyril Dessers all got the opportunities to earn their first international caps for the Eagles.
Goalkeeper Dele Alampasu, who has a single cap for the Eagles, makes a return to the squad, while Tyronne Ebuehi, who has been out injured for two years, is on standby with many regular faces getting call-ups.
Some fans, who took to Twitter, hailed the composition of the Eagles attack.
“I think this is the best Nigeria can offer for now. Looking forward to Bukayo Saka inclusion. As for Eze if he wants to join the Eagles that will be fine and if not, he should not be forced, we have better options,” Folarin Joshua wrote.
Joshua Ozugbakun tweeted, “Decent enough squad at any level. Thanks @thenff.”
@Viqforlan added, “Loving the options in attack…we can dream again with this caliber of players.”
Others also hailed the inclusion of the new players in the Eagles squad.
“Happy to see Onyeka, Ejuke and Zaidu but Nwakali and Alhassan are more deserving than Samson Tijani. Ebuehi should be on the main list too,” @jeremy_liit tweeted.
On the goalkeepers invited to the Eagles camp, Victor Awe wrote, “Alampasu isn’t world class but he has experience. This Yakubu guy is new and great too. And Okoye, a young talent but no experience. I feel like Gernot Rohr knows what he’s doing.”
He’s trying to give Okoye a little experience and still test him. It’s not the World Cup already.”