Ahead the AFCON 2021 qualifying match between the Super Eagles and the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone.at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium Benin City today (Friday, November 13), Complete Sports’ SULAIMAN ALAO profiles ‘ seven standout players at the disposal of Gernot Rohr based on current form for their respective European clubs in the ongoing 2020/2021 season.
Victor OSIMHEN
Date of birth/Age: Dec 29,1998(21)
Place of birth: Nigeria, Lagos
Current Club: Napoli
Position: Centre-Forward
Caps/Goals: 8/4
Club Form: 8 games 2 goals in 560 minutes
Osimhen has put up a commendable performance in the Serie A for Italian side, Napoli since his record €7Omillion move from Frech Ligue 1 side, Lille in the summer.
The 21-year old has been hailed severally for his impact for Napoli so far with the striker recently
scoring the only goal in the 1-0 away win against Bologna just before the international break.
On the national front, Osimhen has become the Super Eagles undisputed arrowhead scoring two goals in his last outing in the 4-2 away win against Lesotho while missing the recent two friendlies due to covid19 restrictions at Napoli.
Leon BALOGUN
Date of birth/Age: Jun 28, 1988(32)
Place of birth: Germany, Berlin
Current Club: Rangers, Scotland
Position: Centre-Back
Caps/Goals: 32/0
Club Form: 8 games clocking 589 minutes
Balogun enjoyed tremendous transformation since switching from English Championship side WiganAthletic to Rangers in the Scottish Premiership.
The centre-back has become a regular feature in coach Steven Gerrard’s title-chasing Rangers putting up good performances in the league where he wàs recently named in the Scottish Premiership Team Of The Week as well as in the
Europa League.
On the national front, Balogun has been regular feature in the Super Eagles central defence since making his debut in 2014.
Ola AlNA
Date of birth/Age: Oct 8,1996(24)
Place of birth: England, London
Current Club: Fulham, England
Position: Right-Back
Caps/Goals: 14/0
Club Form: 6 games clocking 519 minutes
Aina has hit the ground running since returning to the English Premier League to star on loan for Fulham after spending two successful seasons in the Italian Serie A with Torino.
The Chelsea right-back walked straight into the Fulham first team and has started all his games for the side and scoring his first Premier League goal – a wonderful strike in the 2-0 win against West Brom just before the international break.
Also Read: INTERVIEW – Rohr Explains How Super Eagles Will Play ‘Physical Team’ Sierra Leone
On the national front, Aina has proved a valuable addition to the Eagles squad since 2017 after switching his international allegiance to Nigeria having previously starred for England at the U-16 to U-20 level.
Joe ARIB0
Date of birth/Age: Jul 21, 1
Place of birth: England, London
Current Club: Rangers, Scotland
Position: Central Midfield
Caps/Goals: 4/2
Club Form: 10 games 4 goals in 548 minutes
Aribo has continued to been a regular feature and making positive impact for Scottish giants Rangers who are currently in the race for with the Premiership title.
The midfielder grabbed a brace for Rangers in the 8-0 spanking of Hamilton Academical just before the international break and was named in the Scottish Premiership Team of The Week.
On the national front, Aribo has become a revelation in the Eagles midfield since making a scoring debut against Ukraine in an
international friendly in September last year followed by another goal against Brazil in October has helped him stake claim to a starting shirt in the Eagles.
Paul ONUACHU
Date of birth/Age: May 28, 1994 (26
Place of birth: Nigeria, Ower
Current Club: KRC Genk
Position: Centre-Forward
Caps/Goals: 7/1
Club Form: 11 games, 9 goals in 832 minutes
Onuachu is currently the most clinical Nigerian striker in Europe só far this season having scored nine goals which included two braces in 11 appearances for Genk in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League.
The gangling striker is on his way to improve on his last season tally with his goals so far this season already matching his goals haul last season where he scored 9 goals in 22 league games.
On the national front however, Onuachu has struggled to replicate his club form for the Eagles due to difference in playing pattern at his
club compared to the national team.
Samuel CHUKWUEZE
Date of birth/Age: May 22, 1999(21)
Place of birth: Nigeria, Umahaia
Current Club: Villarreal, Spain
Position: Right Winger
Caps/Goals: 14/2
Club Form: 10 games, 1 goal in 606 minutes
Chukwueze has continued to improve in the Spanish LaLiga where he is featuring in his third consecutive seasons for Villarreal who are currently amongthe top three teams in the LaLiga.
The left-footed player who prefers to play from the right wing was named among 50 youngsters to watch in world football by UEFA last year and recently scored his first goal of the season in the 2-0 win over Real Valladolid as well as having two assists to his credit so far.
On the national front, Chukwueze has become one of the stars in the Eagles despite his young
age courtesy of his skills and blistering pace that has seen him become a nightmare to defenders.
Kelechi IHEANACHO
Date of birth/Age: Oct 3, 1996(24)
Place of birth: Nigeria, Imo
Curent Club: Leicester City
Position: Centre-Forward
Caps/Goals: 25/8
Club Form: 7 games 3 goals in 355 minutes
Iheanacho is proving to be one of Nigeria’s most prolific goalscorer in Europe so far this season with all his three goals for Leicester City coming in the UEFA Europa League.
The centre-forward has struggled for game time at Leicester due to stiff competition in the Foxes attack but he has made the best use of his limited appearances which has also seen him bag three assists also in the UEFA second tier competition.
On the national team front, Iheanacho remains one of the Eagles most competent finishers with the forward netting Nigeria’s goal in the 1-1 draw with Tunisia recently.
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COMMENTS
Kelechi Iheanacho goal tally for. Nigeria is 9 and not 8 as indicated in the reportage.
Always very satisfying to see happy faces of the SE players. That gives a feeling of the pride in them representing NIGERIA. GOD BLESS NIGERIA, BLESS SE, BLESS GERNOT ROHR, BLESS ALEXANDER THE KING IWOBI, BLESS THE BIG BOSS REBIRTH BALOGUN, THE GENTLE GIANT EKONG, OH ME GOD, GOD BLESS EVER IMPRESSIVE ARIBALL ARIBO, THE WAZZA DAZZLERS CHUZZY/ EJUKE. THIS LIST WILL GO ON ON … GOD BLESS YOU ALL SE PLAYERS FOR BRINGING JOY TO THE HOUSES OF NIGERIANS CONSTANTLY ROBBED BY FAILING GOVERNMENTS/ SYSTEM.