SUPER Eagles captain Ahmed Musa, goalkeeper Maduka Okoye and forward Samuel Chukwueze have all been ruled out of the friendly matches against Mexico and Ecuador in the United States of America.
The Nigeria Football Federation confirmed today that the three players as well as seven others will not be available for the encounters against Mexico on Saturday night/Sunday morning in Texas and Ecuador on June 2 in New Jersey due to various reasons.
The other players out of the friendly matches are defenders Zaidu Sanusi and Abdullahi Shehu, midfielders Oghenekaro Etebo, Azubuike Okechukwu, Alhassan Yusuf and Samson Tijani, and forward Sadiq Umar. The players were unable to make it to the United States for the games due to visa hitches, injuries and other reasons.
However, new head coach Jose Peseiro is still in an upbeat mood ahead of his debut as he has 19 players available.
“You have to be practical and face the challenges when they come this way or any other way,” the Portuguese coach told the NFF’s media team.
“We would have loved to have everyone here and see how well they have put the World Cup miss behind them and forged on. But what we have is what we have. I have chosen to be positive and I have resolved to work hard to use the resources available to make Nigeria great again.
“I am happy we have such an excellent pool of players who are committed and ready to give their all every time. This situation was not something they created; challenges do turn up that way.
“We have a number of options who have been told to rise up to the occasion. Every player who gets the chance to wear the Nigeria jersey should be proud of that opportunity and give their all.”
Among the 19 players in the team’s Dallas camp are deputy captain William Troost-Ekong, Moses Simon and Alex Iwobi, all senior members of the squad.
Goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, defenders Ola Aina and Chidozie Awaziem, midfielders Joe Aribo and Innocent Bonke, and forwards Cyril Dessers and Terem Moffi are also available to face Mexico and Ecuador.
Eight home-based players, including goalkeeper Olorunleke Ojo, defender Ibrahim Buhari, midfielder Chiamaka Madu and forwards Victor Mbaoma and Ishaq Kayode Rafiu are also in the United States for the matches.
Uzoho and Awaziem departed from Istanbul, Turkey yesterday and arrived at the team’s Adolphus Hotel base in the evening, taking the number of players in camp to 19. Only forward Cyriel Dessers was still being expected as at this afternoon.
The two matches against the World Cup-bound opponents are to prepare the Super Eagles for next month’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sierra Leone and Mauritius in Abuja and St. Pierre respectively.
Nigeria host Sierra Leone at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on June 9, and are guests of Mauritius four days later in St Pierre.
AVAILABLE PLAYERS
Goalkeepers:
Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Adewale Adeyinka (Akwa United); Ojo Olorunleke (Enyimba FC)
Defenders:
Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Chidozie Awaziem (Alanyaspor FC, Turkey); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Ibrahim Buhari (Plateau United); Sani Faisal (Katsina United)
Midfielders:
Joe Aribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Chiamaka Madu (Rivers United); Innocent Bonke (FC Lorient, France); Babatunde Bello (Akwa United)
Forwards:
Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Cyriel Dessers (Feyenoord FC, The Netherlands); Victor Mbaoma (Enyimba FC); Ishaq Rafiu (Rivers United); Terem Moffi (FC Lorient, France)
