Enyimba defender Ikouwen Udoh has been handed a late invitation to the Super Eagles for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Seychelles and the international friendly against the Pharaohs of Egypt, Completesports.com reports.
Udoh, who is the captain of Nigeria’s U-20 side, the Flying Eagles, joined his Enyimba teammate, Valentine Ozornwafor and Kastina United goalkeeper as three home-based players in the list of invited players for both matches.
His inclusion increases the number of players invited for the game by Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr to 24.
The left-back, and Valentine Ozornwafor were named in the 2019 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations team of the tournament in Niger where the Flying Eagles finished in fourth position.
It is the first time Udoh has been called up to represent the Super Eagles, and he will compete with Paderborn of Germany, Jamilu Collins for the left-back position.
Also Read: Dennerby: Super Falcons Improving With Every Match, Can Reach World Cup Knockout Stages
The Super Eagles will face Seychelles at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba
on Saturday, March 23rd and Egypt in a friendly at the same venue three days later.
The three-time African champions are already through to Egypt 2019 after holding the Bafana Bafana of South Africa to a 1-1 draw in their last game in the qualifiers at the FNB Stadium, Johannesburg.
Seychelles are without a win in the group and have conceded 22 times in five matches.
Nigeria defeated the Pirates 3-0 in the reverse fixture last year – their first win in the group after going down to a 2-0 home defeat to South Africa in their first game of the qualifiers.
Gernot Rohr’s men are expected to start preparations for the match next week Monday in Asaba.
By Adeboye Amosu
43 Comments
Gk Oremade is the next.
These 3 plus Igor Ogbu are the only players from this AFCON U20 squad that have the required quality to play for nigeria at any level
it is b’cos they are real under 21 sir.
That is the benefit of fielding genuine Under 20 sir. Coach Aigbohun deserves praise.
This coach again, he invited Udoh to replace injured Kalu wasted opportunity folks we have two left backs invited already why inviting another one,I’m so sure the guy would get Uche Agbos treatment.I think Denis Bonaventure would ve been a better choice.We need to try the guy out some of these local players are suspect, I think Denis is ready for the super Eagles,But I understand Udoh agents knows how to play the Naija way.
Spot on. Just an evidence of d business Rohr n these sick agents have turned out national team into. A player who is gonna be playing at d u-20 world cup in May while the AFCON is d following month June. What a waste of huge opportunities to try out players in d striking position. Rohr is just a waste of public funds period.
Yes Rohr is a waste of public funds since he’s not inviting the likes of Deser and co?? Ok now. We have enough players in the attacking positions. You guys clapped for the coach for inviting Ozonwanfor now you guys are complaining about Ikouwen. Meanwhile, I can categorically tell you that people like SunnyB and co have been calling for the inclusion of Ikouwen for a long time. In fact I’m surprised that now that the coach gave him a call the reverse is the case as usual.
If it’s a waste of public funds we like it like that. After all it’s been a waste of public funds since the days of Westerhoff and we had the greatest SuperEagles of all time.
@Sunnyb, you are a patriot.
Trust me, the truth shall prevail soon.
Rohr-gate is coming out soon. I believe that reliable and honest players like Balogun, Mikel,Moses and Musa will expose the dirty games in SE management. The sport journalists are not doing the country any favor, i expected them to beam the search light on SE managers considering the fact that one of the coaches was guilty of bribery allegation in 2018. I strongly believe that there is no smoke without fire, the EFCC needs to investigate the SE set-up. Why would a coach be this wicked. You keep inviting goal-keepers and players without considering their present form. Players that should be motivated and supported to attain their potentials are being left out of the SE for dirty politics. We are watching!
@Larry, bro,thanks for stating the obvious we need men like you to move that country forward.for me I never trusted those guys Amunike included.i ve said this several times Rohr needs to be grilled we need to know the criterial for inviting players.when I called iheanacho out on this forum some guys called me all sort of names. Promoting mediocrity or going with the flow those not make one a patriot.
Stop saying rubbish thinking you are talking sense @SunnyB and his brother @Larry. Who told you we have two left-backs?? Even CSN stated it above that Udoh will compete with Collins for the left-back spot meaning JAMILIU COLLINS was the only invited NATURAL LB before Udoh’s call-up. Ola Aina can play in that position not because he’s a natural left back but he can only play there when his team are short of options in that position. When the list came out, the Left-backs spot was the only place I was having issues with cuz I felt COLLINS was the only Confirm No. 3, every other one are just fill in the gap options e.g Aina,Awaziem, and Moses Simon. Therefore, Udoh’s call-up is justifiable and just gets to show that the coach knows very well what he’s doing. @SunnyB, I was so shocked when I saw you clamouring for another Striker in the team…Ahhahhh…Shey it is only Strikers we’ll play in the Two-legged fixtures ni??? We already have plenty of attackers in Musa, Ighalo,Oshimen,Onuachu and you’re still calling for a striker?? I can see you understand football very very well(opposite..lol)
I think coach Rohr has made a great call in the invitation of Ikouwem Udoh to Super Eagles.
Ikouwem has been outstanding not only in the local league but also in the national teams (CHAN Eagles and U-20) that he’s played for. That is why there has been a long standing clamour for him to be invited to Super Eagles. Considering that we have only one natural left back (Jamilu Colins) in the present Super Eagles, Ikouwem’s invitation should be applauded.
@Chairmanfemi,u goofed bro Valentine Ozornwafor can that position too.Do u know Club Bruges now plays Denis as an attacking midfielder.For ur information Denis started as a winger. How many attacking midfielders did Rohr invited ?
Udoh’s agent gave Mr. Rohr a call, and bingo, the 23 man list became 24.
I am not implying that our coach is corrupt. No!
I trust the man with all my heart, but I think he is under a lot of pressure from many quarters.
It takes a strong willed coach to survive Nigerian politics and tribalism. I remember many years ago, one of our home based coach had 50 invitees on his list!
Well, this is Udoh’s chance. Who knows? He could become the latest Super Eagles sensation due to this invition.
I can see clearly that coach Rohr is not the right coach for Super Eagles.
Mr. Rohr is a gambler. This man has so many young stars both home and diaspora but he doesn’t care.
I have been mentioning Udoh’s name for a while but this coach do not listening to me.
Udor is a raw talented player who deserves to be in Eagles before now.
Musa Muhammad’s career is at stake and also needs help if coach is truly a good coach. 20 minutes per match for Musa, will help a lot. Alampasun also need a look at. I am challenging you Oga Rohr. Please do more. You are not a Nigerian lazy coach. Prove to me that you are not sir.
So painful that I do not have time to break this explanation down. Happy weekend my people. God bless Nigeria!!!
Omo9ja, you wanted him to bring in Udoh, and he did. Yet you say he is not the right coach for Nigeria because he didn’t bring in the other players in your long list.
You see why I say the coach is under pressure from many quarters?
Bomboy he is talking about inclusion of Musa and Alampasu. I feel this two also need the help of the coach and we all know how good they are we should appreciate them try and see if they are not good enough then we can move on. I really need to see that Musa badly because the right back to me is still empty most especially when we play fast and aggressive teams! Udoh deserves a look now that his job is to focus on the left back only unlike when he was the u20 capt that he carries all the teams problems on his shoulder now we can properly access him.
If they are so good why are they not getting regular minutes in their respective clubs?
Jones let’s not go into this debate again they are so good let the story end here before you start chaos and go into hiding. Some players are in the wrong club and league as a result of poor agency if you know you know. That is the reason why we are calling on the messiahs of Nigeria football to come and rescue them from the hands of their abductors
I especially would have loved to see Alampasu given another chance. Anyway, I think it will be a nice game. We must not underrate Seychelles. For them to play SA to a nil-nil draw illustrates what they are capable of. Having said that, it looks like they will have nowhere to hide come match day!
If he didn’t I invite a home based player, tongues would be wagging left, right and centre. Now that he has invited one to add up to the list, Una no go rest. I tire for Una o
people just come here to talk rubbish,how much can those agents give rohr.people should mind what they say,rohr is d manager and if u don’t like it go and hug transformer.na una know players pass,y u no go become coach.
Am looking up to see my Team display some tantalizing football..
up super eagles
u guys shld nt forget our coach is human..
a bird in hand is worth two in d bush,, he ax nt bn doin bad wit results so far ,musa is gud alampasu is fantastic too but let’s focus and support dos given d invitation,, time will com for dem too
Hahahaha CS Forum on fire
Lets give Rohr the sole benefits for his professional approach to these pick issues. The coach has more to loose than any of us. However, l am ready to bite his nick and tear him down if he fail in his assignments . The players the coach invited or not invited are all Nigerians, lets wait to see if the assigned job gets done to the satisfaction of all the Nigerian people. Bless you all for your interests
Gbam.
Kilodeeeeeeeee? Second chance si ke, lagomelo lol? This is how Nigerians were clamoring for Sai baba Sai Buhari. Kobahakaba? Abi no be so? Now, Sai coach Rohr, Sai Egypt 2019? For these reasons, Oga Rohr is not the problem of the team but NFF.
NFF have to wake up and pair King Kanu with coach Rohr and problem solved. If Mr. Kanu Can help Nigeria why not, he can be coach Rohr’s personal assistant. I realized that sacking coach Rohr can not solve the problem of the team because the system is corrupt.
Nigeria is the only country that has a president that is older than the Country. Same thing applies to our sports and the lazy intelligent, smart Nigerian youths are there doing nothing for their Country? Hmmm…. I’m speechless.
This is very interesting and it’s a season film. World cup 2018 already gone. Egypt 2019 is the next one but before we knew it, 2022 world cup already here.
Same story and excuses every day by day. I’m shaking my head for black people. I’m so sorry o. Truth is bitter. Ire o. God bless Nigeria!!!
I don’t coment on this forum but I always find the comments here hillarious from people like omo 9ja, then there is chima the abroad man and very intelligent Deo who gives correct and precise analysis , now is not the time for any coach that knows what he’s doing to start inviting or helping out of form players who has not been working with the team.
I don’t comment on this forum and I love reading comments on this platform but people like deo should be respected, he knows about the game, people like chima “abroad man”
knows little about the game, invite this, invite that will kill any team, I would want a full team to play against secheils and he’ll more than disrupting the team at this time , a coach that cannot know at least 15-18 players few months before the tournament should be sacked, now is not the time for trial matches. let Nigeria too play and score 7or8 goals in a match too now , instead of inviting players that has not gelled with the team
I cant blame rohr for inviting udoh…assuming he left the slot for foreign base, omo. some people will even treck to his house instead of veichle, and swallow up rohr 4not inviting homebasee…the player i love to see is dennis, we need an attacking midfielders. abeg the coach need kanu as an assistant like Omo9ja said.
NFF and Coach Rhor engage KANU Nwankwo or Jay Jay or Yobo as assistant coach of the Super eagles. Pls engage our legendary ex-internationals in the administration and management of our sports/football affairs. Thanks a lot.
I’m still commending coach Rhor for his high standards in player’s call-up to the super eagles. But u need a professional to assist you. We need honesty and integrity in super eagles.
Take Super Eagles to Top 10 position in the world.
All change for the under 23 squad to face Libya on the 20th and 25th of March.
Following the coach Imama picking 35 local players and having to drop many because of age irregularities, 30 have been dropped and a new squad comprising 5 local players and 15 foreign based players have been finalised.
Headlining the squad are the trio of Taiwo Awoniyi (RE Mouscron), Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal) and Emmanuel Dennis Bonaventure (club Brugge) who have all been the subject of much debate on why they have not been picked for the senior squad.
Also promoted to the under 23s is the under 20 keeper Oremade.
Full list:
Adamu Abubakar ( El Kanemi)
Olawale Oremade ( Kwara United)
Galadima Mohammed ( Nasarawa United )
Etboy Akpan ( Akwa United)
Stephen Manyo ( Enyimba)
Olatunji Oluwadare ( Enyimba)
Fatai Adebowale ( Shooting Stars)
Tosin Kehinde ( CD Feirense)
Kelechi John ( Rio Ave)
Bede Opara ( Vilar de Perdizes)
Ugochukwu Anumudu ( Lobi Stars)
John Lazarus ( Lobi Stars)
Ebube Duru ( Lobi Stars)
Kelechi Nwakali ( PortoB)
Azubuike Okechukwu ( Rizespor)
Kingsley Michael ( Perugia)
Chidera Eze ( Portimonense)
Peter Akpan ( Cadiz)
Blessing Olabiran ( Tambov FC)
Dennis Bonaventure ( Club Brugge)
Daniel Uche Okereke ( Spezia)
Taiwo Awoniyi ( Mouscron)
Orji Okonkwo ( Montreal Impact)
Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal)
https://owngoalnigeria.com/2019/03/16/full-list-cadiz-b-prospect-akpan-club-brugge-bonaventure-in-imamas-final-squad-for-libya-tie/
All change for the under 23 squad to face Libya on the 20th and 25th of March.
Following the coach Imama picking 35 local players and having to drop many because of age irregularities, 25 have been dropped and a new squad comprising 10 local players and 14 foreign based players has been finalised.
Headlining the squad are the trio of Taiwo Awoniyi (RE Mouscron), Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal) and Emmanuel Dennis Bonaventure (club Brugge) who have all been the subject of much debate on why they have not been picked for the senior squad.
Also promoted to the under 23s is the under 20 keeper Oremade.
Full list:
Adamu Abubakar ( El Kanemi)
Olawale Oremade ( Kwara United)
Galadima Mohammed ( Nasarawa United )
Etboy Akpan ( Akwa United)
Stephen Manyo ( Enyimba)
Olatunji Oluwadare ( Enyimba)
Fatai Adebowale ( Shooting Stars)
Tosin Kehinde ( CD Feirense)
Kelechi John ( Rio Ave)
Bede Opara ( Vilar de Perdizes)
Ugochukwu Anumudu ( Lobi Stars)
John Lazarus ( Lobi Stars)
Ebube Duru ( Lobi Stars)
Kelechi Nwakali ( PortoB)
Azubuike Okechukwu ( Rizespor)
Kingsley Michael ( Perugia)
Chidera Eze ( Portimonense)
Peter Akpan ( Cadiz)
Blessing Olabiran ( Tambov FC)
Dennis Bonaventure ( Club Brugge)
Daniel Uche Okereke ( Spezia)
Taiwo Awoniyi ( Mouscron)
Orji Okonkwo ( Montreal Impact)
Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal)
https://owngoalnigeria.com/2019/03/16/full-list-cadiz-b-prospect-akpan-club-brugge-bonaventure-in-imamas-final-squad-for-libya-tie/
Here is the full list of U23 invitees. Terrific list of young Talents and upcoming SuperEagles generals. Have fun.
Adamu Abubakar ( El Kanemi)
Olawale Oremade ( Kwara United)
Galadima Mohammed ( Nasarawa United )
Etboy Akpan ( Akwa United)
Stephen Manyo ( Enyimba)
Olatunji Oluwadare ( Enyimba)
Fatai Adebowale ( Shooting Stars)
Tosin Kehinde ( CD Feirense B)
Kelechi John ( Rio Ave B)
Bede Opara ( Vilar de Perdizes)
Ugochukwu Anumudu ( Lobi Stars)
John Lazarus ( Lobi Stars)
Ebube Duru ( Lobi Stars)
Kelechi Nwakali ( Porto B)
Azubuike Okechukwu ( Rizespor)
Kingsley Michael ( Perugia)
Chidera Eze ( Portimonense)
Peter Akpan ( Cadiz B)
Blessing Olabiran ( Tambov FC)
Dennis Bonaventure ( Club Brugge)
Uche Okereke ( Spezia)
Taiwo Awoniyi ( Mouscron)
Orji Okonkwo ( Montreal Impact)
Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal)
@BigD that is the main reason Rohr did not call up Awoniyi and Chukwueze to allow them flourish with the DreamTeam. Osimhen is also a member of the DreamTeam, but he got the nod ahead of Awoniyi and Chukwueze on the basis of his overall season so far in Belgium
Dennis Bonaventure gets his chance with the DreamTeam. That’s where he needs to start with Nigeria. I think he’s a very good player who can really impress under Imama. I also like the inclusion of Kelechi Nwakali and Azubuike Okechukwu (Zubby). He’s going to be the captain of the team with his experience at the last Olympics.
I’m sure they have a chance to qualify for the U23 AFCON. My only concern is getting their various clubs to release them in November for the tournament. With the likes of Dennis, Zubby, Chukwueze, Awoniyi, Nwakali, Orji Okonkwo, Kingsley Michael and some other U23 prospects Nigeria have a chance to win the next Olympics if we qualify. #FLY LIKE AN EAGLE INTO THE FUTURE#
Yes Azubuike was the captain of the Under 23s that qualifies us for the Olympics before handing the captaincy to Mikel for the Olympics proper.
And yes, it will be difficult to secure release for later games and the AFCON tournament proper. But choosing them for this March gives them valuable experience and exposure ahead of the under 20 World Cup (Oremade especially) as well as gives the NFF time to properly screen players for the tournament later in the year
Ayphillydegreat
I am not sure of the reason Rohr didnt call up Awoniyi was because he wanted him to feature in the dream team olympic.
I think Osimhen was given a nod ahead of him because Rohr had watched him play against Uganda like Chukwueze where he impressed him and seems to like his athletic frame and has been touted as a future replacement for Ighalo.
And i strongly believe if the youngman Osimhen is able to get the right mentoring and tactical support he would fit in the role very well.
Right from the u17 w/cup, I have seen in him a future SE forward with the likes of Chukwueze and Nwakali but they need to show much hunger and zeal in view of strong competition from other players.
@BigD and Ayphilly, this U23 list should settle most of the fans. Any of the invitees that can’t prove their worth in the U23 team has no place in the SE.
Rohr on Udoh.
Udoh’s invitation to the Eagles is long overdue as he’s been a consistent performer for Eyimba of Aba and the home based SE.
I think if given a level playing ground he would be pick the left back position ahead of Jamilu Collin with due respect to him.
This invitation is a reward for his hardwork and patience and i hope he grabs the opportunity with both hands.
He just got enough quality tie down the shirt on account pf his versatility and experience in the home based eagle, Champ league, flying eagles.
Udoh, whom I have eulogised a number of times on this platform, did not have the sort of scintillating performances I expected in the just concluded U-20 Afcon.
Still, the budding International left-wingback did just about enough to make the CAF XI of the tournament.
Overall, I felt his performances were consistent with under-20 level football.
He has the junior World Cup in Poland as another opportunity in which to announce himself as a cut above age grade football.
For now, let him tag along and enjoy the Seychelles and Egypt ride.
Ikouwem’s performance was not up to speed at the just concluded U-20 Afcon. And the reason to me is obvious. The bumpy pitches! Some of the worst pitches I’ve ever seen. I think he will do much better on a decent surface.
Asaba pitch is not any better.
Asaba pitch is nothing to write home about. They agreed to play those matches there because the Delta Governor is ready to foot the bills. Uyo is the only place the super eagle would love to call a home.
So an advantage for CAF under 20 team of the tournament Ikouwem and our home based players as he is used to playing on that standard of pitch maybe?