AFCON qualifiers: Is Eguavoen right to invite Iheanacho and Sadiq Umar?

Austin Eguavoen’s latest Super Eagles squad selection for the upcoming AFCON 2025 qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda this November has generated much discussion among football fans and analysts alike.

The squad, featuring 23 players, reflects a strategic blend of established stars, emerging talent, and a few players returning from absences, like Bright Osayi-Samuel and Victor Osimhen.

These players have demonstrated recent form, with Ademola Lookman showing impressive speed and finishing, and Victor Boniface’s strength and versatility making them a potential key to breaking down defenses.

The squad’s midfield remains strong, with Alex Iwobi providing experience alongside the talents of Raphael Onyedika and Alhassan Yusuf, showing both attacking and defensive supports. Defensively, the squad list features a mix of veterans, such as captain William Ekong and Calvin Bassey, alongside Ola Aina and Gabriel Osho.

Regardless of the selection, some questions have been raised, particularly around the inclusion of players who lack the high-level competitive performance needed for such crucial matches.

For instance, some critics have argued that including Kelechi Iheanacho, Samuel Chukwueze and Sadiq Umar over more established options could be a risk, given their recent poor performances in their respective clubs alongside their inability to appear often in matches or secure quality minutes in playing games.

In addition, many have claimed that their appearance in the squad list for the upcoming AFCON qualifiers seems to be a nepotic affair orchestrated by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF).

In terms of who might deserve to be included, there are debates around the exclusion of Chelsea’s center-back Tosin Adarabioyo.

Additionally, there are differing opinions on why players like Arsenal’s rising sensation Ethan Nwaneri who despite his performances was not given an opportunity to represent Nigeria, showcasing his fine talent in the international stage through the Super Eagles but players like Iheanacho and Sadiq with their out-of-form performances had yet another chance to be amongst the squad to face Benin and Rwanda.

Ultimately, Eguavoen’s choices reflect a desire to balance experience with emerging talent as well as a step to resolve the injury cases that has affected a crop of the Super Eagles stars like Semi Ajayi, Terem Moffi and Chidera Ejuke.

However, the final performance on the field will determine if this mix proves effective and the cost of those who are out due to injury becomes minimal in affecting the teams’ performance in qualifying for the AFCON tournament in 2025 and subsequently the 2026 World Cup.

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By Okezie Omorogie