Osayi-Samuel, Moffi, Omeruo, Dele-Bashiru, Iwobi in; Troost-Ekong, Orban out: Did Jose Peseiro make the right Super Eagles call?

The head coach of the Super Eagles, Jose Peseiro, has recently revealed his squad for the upcoming international break, where Nigeria will face Saudi Arabia and Mozambique.

The announcement by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has sparked discussions within the Nigerian football community.

The squad includes the return of players like Bright Osayi-Samuel, Terem Moffi, Kenneth Omeruo, and Alex Iwobi, with Fisayo Dele-Bashiru of Hatayspor earning his first call-up.

Victor Boniface and Jordan Torunarigha, who featured in the last squad against Sao Tome and Principe, maintained their positions, securing their second call-ups in less than three months.

However, KAA Gent forward Gift Orban, who missed the previous Super Eagles tie against Sao Tome due to an injury, was not included this time.

Among the notable inclusions, Terem Moffi’s return to the squad stands out, given his impressive performance in Ligue 1.

The 24-year-old has scored three goals and provided two assists in seven appearances for OGC Nice.

Moffi’s presence in the squad adds depth to the striking options and offers support to Victor Osimhen or Taiwo Awoniyi, as seen in his previous Super Eagles game against Guinea-Bissau.

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru has also attracted attention for his outstanding performances in the Turkish league, where he has scored four goals and provided two assists.

Peseiro, the former Sporting CP boss, clearly sees potential in Dele-Bashiru’s contributions to the team’s attack.

Peseiro’s squad selections suggest a shift in focus towards introducing younger players to bolster the Super Eagles’ defense.

While experienced players like Kenneth Omeruo have been valuable assets to the national team, the emergence of promising talents calls for a transition.

Gift Orban’s exclusion from the squad is understandable given his challenging start to the season at Gent, where he has struggled to find the back of the net, received a red card, and suffered an injury.

Despite Joe Aribo’s struggles at the club level, Peseiro, who has shown faith in the Southampton midfielder in the past, is providing Aribo with an opportunity to reignite his career on the international stage.

Peseiro’s squad choices appear well-considered, and these players have the potential to secure victories in the upcoming matches.

However, questions linger about whether facing Saudi Arabia and Mozambique will adequately test Peseiro’s squad ahead of the 2023 AFCON and World Cup qualifiers.