During the hullabaloo over the NFF leadership crisis, Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Seychelles next month has flown under the radar. Nigeria’s Super Eagles, who trail Libya and South Africa after a home loss to Bafana Bafana last June, have little margin for error on 8 September.
The retirement of Victor Moses, long term injury to wingback Tyronne Ebuehi, and slight injury to captain John Obi Mikel (who is recovering and played last weekend for his Chinese club) present challenges for Gernot Rohr’s squad as they seek the road win that will get them back into contention.
Rohr is seeing a rash of young talent coming through, some of whom have made good progressive moves this transfer window. Three of these could sneak a place in the squad.
Samuel Kalu, here up against Tottenham’s Victor Wanyama, played for Gent before moving to Bordeaux. Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images
Samuel Kalu
Kalu is by far the most likely of all three to get a call. The forward is one of the most highly-rated young players in Europe. Such is the esteem in which he is held that Girondins Bordeaux forked out 8 million euros to have him replace Malcom, who was acquired by Barcelona. The 20-year -old is quick, he is powerful, and is that rare dying breed, an old-fashioned winger who can hug the touchline and deliver telling balls into the middle. But he still maintains the ability to play centrally, and adapts his game to fit playing as a wide forward.
Rohr has spent time all the way back to last season watching the youngster at Gent and told KweséESPN that he’d watched him again on Sunday in France. If Kalu hits his stride with the Super Eagles, Nigerians will have a new favourite on the right side of attack.
Kelechi Nwakali
There are many in Nigeria who believes that Nwakali’s move to Porto B is a step down in his career, and it is hard to argue with that. Owned by Arsenal, he spent last season dazzling at Dutch club MVV Maastricht, his second spell there after signing for the Gunners. The club was among a few who wanted him at the start of the current campaign, but the youngster chose to go with Porto. But to their B side. Nigeria’s Kelechi Nwakali is on the books at Arsenal but plays for Porto B. EPA/MARIO RUIZ
If his career choice appears baffling, Nwakali’s prodigious talent is not. He can protect the football, pick a variety of passes, and maraud his way into the box when needed. He showed exciting glimpses of quality as Nigeria’s alternate team shone in a friendly against Atletico Madrid on the margins of the World Cup. Nwakali’s performance ensured that he’ll get a leg up for the squad going forward, especially with Mikel’s new injury worries.
Musa Mohammed
That Super Eagles right hand side has been plagued by misfortune. Wingback Tyronne Ebuehi came down with a season-ending injury, only to be followed by the retirement of Moses. The good news is that Rohr has more than enough replacements to select from. Upfront, he still has the services of Moses Simon, Ahmed Musa and Alex Iwobi, who can play on either wing. Henry Onyekuru adds depth to that chart and the emergence of Samuel Kalu is additional reason for cheer. But Musa Mohammed has always been a favourite of Rohr’s. The former under 17 captain has seen his international prospects take a hit with a lack of club action. But like Nwakali, he showed his ability during that friendly against Atletico Madrid. Expect Rohr to give him a call, if only to give him another quick once-over. ESPN
Pix: Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr
