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Soccer News of Friday, 23 September 2022

Source: www.mynigeria.com

NGA vs ALG: Meet the four potential Super Eagles debutants ahead of friendly

Potential Super Eagles debutants against Algeria      Photo credit: Naija footballers IG page Potential Super Eagles debutants against Algeria Photo credit: Naija footballers IG page

Nigeria will take on North African giants Algeria in an international friendly on Tuesday, September 27 in Oran, Algeria.

The Super Eagles team is currently pitching camp in Constantine, Algeria ahead of the clash with the Desert Foxes.

Injury to some key players means that some new players will be given the nod to make their debut with the three-time African champions.

Among the tall list of Super Eagles injury stars include Captain Ahmed Musah, Victor Osimhen, Sadiq Umar, Samuel Chukwueze, Henry Onyekeru, Emmanuel Dennis, Leon Balogun, Wilfred Ndidi among others.

In this piece, we look at some newly invited players who are likely to make their debut under coach Jose Peseiro.

Raphael Onyedika

Raphael Onyedika plies his trade for Club Brugge in the Belgian Pro League. The 21-year-old joined the Belgian side from FC Midtjylland this summer.

He signed a five-year deal with Club Brugge.

Onyedika can play as a defensive midfielder and is also effective when deployed as a centre-back.
He was named as the young best player in the Danish League last season.

Ebube Duru

Ebube Duru plays for NPFL champions Rivers United in the local league.

The left-back was handed a late call-up to join the Super Eagles camp following the injury to QPR defender Leon Balogun.

Adebayo Adeleye

The former Golden Eaglets goalkeeper is among the three goalkeepers called up by Jose Peseiro alongside Francis Uzoho and Maduka Okoye.

The young goalie was part of the squad that played against Sierra Leone and Sao Tome in the 2023 Nations Cup qualifiers but didn't taste a single minute of action in both games.

The 22-year-old will hope to enjoy some minute of action against Algeria this time.

Saviour Godwin

Saviour Godwin plays for Casa Pia in the Portuguese Premiera Liga.

The 27-year-old forward was part of Nigeria's U-17 team that won the FIFA World Cup in 2013.

He was selected as part of the 35-man provisional squad for the 2016 Summer Olympics but didn't make the final cut.


Nigeria will face Algeria for the first time since the two sides met in the semi-finals of the 2019 Nations Cup in Egypt.

The Desert Foxes won 2-1 courtesy of Riyad Mahrez's last-minute strike. Algeria went ahead to win the AFCON in the finals against Senegal.