Former Nigeria international Mobi Oparaku says the Super Eagles 28-man squad is good enough to win the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon.
On Saturday, interim coach Austine Eguavoen released the squad that will represent Nigeria at next month’s AFCON.
The list has regulars like Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon, Ahmed Musa, Wilfred Ndidi, Leon Balogun, Kenneth Omeruo and William Troost-Ekong.
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Others include Kelechi Iheanacho, Ola Aina, Maduka Okoye, Shehu Abdullahi, Joe Aribo, Odion Ighalo, Chidera Ejuke, Zaidu Sanusi, Samuel Chukwueze among others.
Also, the trio of Emmanuel Dennis, Umar Sadiq, John Noble and Orlando Pirates’ Olisa Ndah made the cut.
And reacting to the list Oparaku, who was a member of the Dream Team squad that won gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic games, described the squad as a talented one.
“Why not,” he told Completesports.com when asked if the team is good enough for the title.
“When it comes to talent they are a bunch of talented players. The good thing is that we see them play on a regular bases in top clubs.
“For me the selection is almost the best and I believe the least stage they will get to is the semi-finals.”
The France 1998 Super Eagles star however pointed out that his only fear is cohesion in the team due to the closeness of the tournament.
He added:”My only fear for the team is cohesion, team building due to the short time before the competition. I hope the coaching crew will do it best to prepare the team most especially mentally.”
By James Agberebi
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COMMENTS
Am worried for our mid field guys.
Etobo is really missing there seriously
The deal is done and in actuality, Coach Eguavoen was tactical with the selection. Nigerians are moving forward. For now, I’m more concerned about camping of the selected few.
Just watched the clips of Ndah Olisa whose some fans complain that he is not suppose to be in the list. To cut a long story short. That guy reminds me of Taribo west and will be better with time bcos he is good with the ball at his feet. I see him displacing Ekong very soon . How come Rohr never spotted such a talent with his touted scouting team..The inclusion of that boy shows clearly that Egu has a clear vision of the kind of playing style he is looking for just like late legend Steven Kechi..That was Rohr’s major setback . Always looking for statistics ,lacking vision amd style. Thank God for Egu
The boy was listed by rohr in his provisional squad.
Never judge a player’s skills by watching video clips bro, they will only show the good part and not the calamity scenes. The guy is sluggish and have poor positioning most times, also causes needless fouls and penalties, not to talk of own goals
This is a shit list. Shikena
A sound list no doubt. But high time we moved away from the already announced team list to having specifics inform of a way forward. The 28th for camping is just staring at us in the face, if we can’t have all our chosen 28th members, we should at least have the Africa based players in the camp. Our coach, Coach Eguavoen should by now be informing Nigerians of who will be available and when these players are to be received in the camp. More of all these should be ongoing discussions on the TV and newspapers briefings. God bless Nigeria.
Exactly my thoughts Omon Michael. I listened to the AriseTV and expected to see Dr. Abati, Tundun Abiola, Rufai and the entire team spending some time with the SE coaching team for a chat, this didn’t happen. Even on the TV news at was the same thing. We need to be hearing what’s going on with the preparations considering the fact that time is too short. I would suggest a daily press engagement that would see technocrats like Jay Jay and Kanu with Eguavoen’s assistants invited.
Igalo and Musa have no business in that team. Ademola lookman and dessers should have been included
The channels read a brief about the list but there weren’t discussants. I think the crew should be well abreast of their next line. Sincerely, this is an ongoing process. Good luck to the SE.
@Jude Coker
That is even why I said sometimes ago that our NFF should do everything to support our Super Eagles. Oga Amaju Pinnick should arrange for FIFA TV and the CNN to meet with the SE, let those of us here in the diaspora have a feel of what’s going on back home. Cheers!
Eguavoen should have to put Dessers instead of shaky and weak and substandard Iheanancho, Calvin Bassey and Kelvin Akpoguma instead of also shaky and weak and substandard Wiliam Troost and Leon Balogun, Akinkunmi Amoo instead of Simon Moses, Tyronne Ebuehi instead of Abdullahi Shehu, Usman Mohammed instead of Frank Onyeka, Ikechukwu Ezenwa instead of Daniel Akpeyi; if Eguavoen made these changes Super Eagles will have a formidable team which will shake and waggle the ground of Africa in this final tournament in Cameroon.
I strongly support the invitation of Bassey, Amoo, Dessers, Usman Mohammed and lukman and ovie Ajaria if it’s possible
I understand your points but the plain truth is that the likes of Akpoguma, bassey, lukeman and d likes doesn’t have the nation’s cup experience, and this is not a time to be experimenting players Becos of limited time. And every coach knows who will fit his plan, so let’s give the coaching crew the needed support and prayers. All of us knows that if its rohr he wouldn’t have invited nwakali but due to eguavoen style of play he was invited. The was a big plus yo the guy who have long waited for this opportunity, is not easy seeing those of you in same class then with headlines in the country while I are somewhere 8n second division with rear headlined I believe this is a good podium to shoe case what he has inside and also some like that I couldn’t mentioned.