Nigeria Africa Cup of Nations squad: Super Eagles Power Ranking

Ok…ok…hear us out on this one.

Ighalo has been written off before, but has returned to contention—and from retirement—on multiple occasions in the past.

Don’t bet against one final hurrah for the Nations Cup.

Admittedly, it would require something sensational from the 26-year-old in Uzbekistan to force his way back into the Super Eagles’ plans.

The stopper is enjoying something of a breakout campaign in the PSL, having made four league appearances for Chippa United while also representing them in cup competitions.

The 26-year-old surely deserves consideration, and was considered by national-team selectors during his Lobi Stars days.

The young midfielder has many admirers, and has passed the eye test in Egyptian football, but the Nations Cup may come too soon for him.

The Arsenal loanee has been a revelation in Ligue 1 this season after signing for Stade de Reims, and is currently rivalling Kylian Mbappe for the division’s Golden Boot.

He has 17 goals so far this season, and while Nigeria are already stocked for attacking options, they’d still be wise to push for Balogun.

Eligible for both England and the United States, would Balogun be ready to commit to the Super Eagles?

Another former Arsenal star, Akpom has been named Player of the Month for the third time this season as he enjoys a remarkable return to prominence with Middlesbrough.

He’s scored 25 goals in 32 Championship outings this term, and while he hasn’t yet featured for the national side, the Super Eagles must surely start considering him.

Named in the squad for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, Noble has struggled to get a look in since, with the Enyimba man apparently adamant that a dispute with the NFF over bonuses is the reason why he’s being overlooked.

Based on merits, should he be included?

Is in the process of making the step up from the NPFL to European football with Greek side Panetolikos, Nosiru needs a monster 10 months in order to force his way into Peseiro’s plans.

Daniel, who was part of the Nigeria set-up in the last decade, has been given relatively short shrift from selectors in recent years.

He was part of the side at the 2015 African Games and the Olympics a year later, and was even given a closer look for the seniors with Gernot Rohr.

Impressing again for Lobi Stars, is it time for him to return?

Made three substitute appearances last year, and his experience and versatility could yet make him a contender for a squad place should he find form, favour (and a new club) in the coming months.

Peseiro called two local stoppers into the national side for the Guinea-Bissau double-header, but Obasogie was surprisingly overlooked.

His consistency in recent years has been admirable, not least for Bendel Insurance this term, and he could well be the pick of the NPFL stoppers this term.

Talented Rivers United left-back who will likely be squeezed out of contention due to competition.

Received his maiden call-up in August, but will a move to Iraq take him out of Peseiro’s thoughts?

Once the bright hope of the Nigeria came, Nwakali has proved us wrong and been considered by the seniors before.

Can he do so again?

The 21-year-old is eligible for both Italy and Nigeria, and having represented the Azzurri at U-21 level, had been expected to seek an international future with the Europeans.

However, Nigeria appear to be taking note of the defender—who has made a dozen appearances in the Italian top flight this term—and Okoli could join teammate Ademola Lookman in camp.

Boniface has found the net in both Norway and Belgium, but is yet to get recognised by the national set-up beyond U-20 level.

Surely his time has come.

He scored four in four for Union SG in Belgium in February, and he could squeeze Paul Onuachu—who’s yet to find the net in the Premier League—out of the squad.

The Rivers United man was one of several home-based players included in the 23-man squad.

Is he genuinely in contention for the Afcon?

Makes the latest squad ahead of Maduka Okoye following some encouraging performances for the U-20s.

The Yum Yum FC prospect was been named among the defensive options in the latest squad.

Back employed at Swallows FC having spent the first half of the PSL season unattached, Akpeyi is the most experienced option on this list, despite having a troubled international career for the national side.

He’s played just two league games since May 2022, but if he can improve his sharpness in the coming months, could yet return to prominence.

The quality options in attack mean that Olayinka’s going to struggle to get a look in, however 10 goals in 18 Czech top flight outings so far mean he can’t be discounted.

Considered by international selectors last year, Adeleye is yet to receive his first cap for the national side…but could that change this month?

The 22-year-old has been starring in Israel this season, following in the footsteps of Vincent Enyeama, and has registered nine shut-outs in the league this season.

Surely, he deserves a spot in the squad. Might he even be in line to receive his first cap?

Dessers can’t seem to string together two consistent seasons at club level, let alone a sustained place in the Nigeria squad.

He’s bagged five goals in Serie A this term, but competition is looking fierce for a spot in Nigeria’s attacking roster.

The Switzerland-based stopper received his maiden call-up to the national side in October 2020, but has got precious little recognition since.

At 29, he’s in his prime, is it time for him to finally make his international debut?

Featuring at a high level at Empoli, but is Nigeria’s third-choice right-back currently, and may need injury to a rival to make the cut.

Realistically looking like seventh or eighth-choice centre-back at the time of writing, and could require injuries to others to stake his claim.

Finding himself – at best – third choice for a left-back role following the arrival on the scene of Bruno Onyemeachi.

Hardly setting the world alight in the German second tier with Bundesliga, but Ejuke is among a clutch of widemen who could make the squad in a back-up role if injury or loss of form befalls one of Peseiro’s top three wingers.

…or if the head coach finally loses faith in bullet proof Ahmed Musa.

Once appeared set to become the future of the Nigeria defence, but may now have a battle on his hands just to make the squad.

What a difference a year has made for Sadiq.

A year ago, he was finally begun to prove himself as a potential option for the Super Eagles, but a ruptured cruciate ligament put paid to that, and he’s still some way away from a return.

Unused in the league by Watford this season, Okoye has been limited to appearances in cup competitions for the Hornets.

It’s cost him his place in the national side, with Peseiro instead opting for two home-based keepers to provide back-up to Francis Uzoho.

Ignore the fact that he’s only 20, or yet to take his maiden steps in international football, it’s not too early for Nigeria to invite Orban into the camp.

The attacker has been sensational at Gent since arriving in Belgium from Stabaek earlier this year, and is maintaining the form that saw him named top scorer in the Norwegian Premier League last term.

He currently has nine goals in seven Jupiler League outings—including four against Zulte Waregem—and it’s definitely time to fast-track him into the squad.

Still failing—spectacularly—to realise his potential, yet Onyekuru’s versatility and experience could prove useful assets.

He’s also proven in the past—even though he hasn’t done it recently—that he can contribute goals from wide areas, and may muscle his way back in with a strong end to 2023.

Hasn’t thrived at Forest, with only two Premier League goals this term, but his ten league strikes with Watford last term demonstrate that he can do it at the highest level.

Hasn’t quite settled in international football as many had expected, but he’s featured seven times in the Champions League this season, and could well prove useful to Peseiro.

With Ndidi and Onyeka both struggling, Onyedika has time on his side to stake a claim in midfield.

An outstanding performer in Portugal this season so far, Onyemaechi can be a useful option as a left-back or on the left side of a defensive three.

It will be fascinating to see what he can bring to the national side.

Included on the provisional 34-man list ahead of the recent international break, before dropping out of the final squad, how does Bonke avoid a similar fate in January?

Offering a classic Plan B off the bench—despite not yet scoring for Southampton—Onuachu has squeezed Cyriel Dessers out of the squad.

There’s so much competition among the strikers hoping to make it onto the plane for Nigeria.

Awoniyi, just returning to fitness at Nottingham Forest, is probably fourth in the pecking order.

Not the most popular player among Super Eagles fans, but with some key absentees, Ajayi reaffirmed his value against Guinea-Bissau.

Another key defensive absentee from the last international break, Balogun has made just 13 appearances for Queen’s Park Rangers this term.

At 34, this is probably his last shot at Afcon glory.

Back in action in Greek football with Aris Thessaloniki, there were expectations that Etebo might return to the Super Eagles fold.

Instead, he missed out while Brentford’s Frank Onyeka was named for the last call-up.

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Another central defensive option, injury curtailed Akpoguma’s participation against Guinea-Bissau.

Onyeka was named ahead of Etebo – likely his direct rival – for the last international call-up, but will a sub-par showing allow the Greece-based midfielder back in?

The veteran Super Eagles skipper continues to be named in Nigeria squads, even though he’s yet to score or assist for Sivasspor this term.

Aribo continues to struggle for regular gametime at Southampton—he’s played 90 minutes just once in 2023 so far—but he remains a valuable asset for the Super Eagles.

Such a useful option for Nigeria, Aina’s capacity to play in either full-back position, as part of a back three, or in a more advanced role should have made him a shoo-in for the Eagles squad.

Nominated for the Premier League Player of the Month for February, Iheanacho could be a valuable option for Nigeria in tandem with Osimhen.

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He played nine matches for the national side in 2022, and with some of his rivals either struggling for gametime or failing to impress, Uzoho should be Peseiro’s No. 1.

However, could suspension for the next international break allow one of his rivals in to stake a claim?

Enjoying life at OGC Nice after signing from FC Lorient in January, Moffi appears primed to be an option off the bench for Nigeria with Osimhen likely to lead the line.

A revelation in Serie A with Atalanta this season, Lookman has gone off the boil recently but he still boasts enough quality to cause serious problems for opponents.

Only injury will keep Omeruo from the squad, although he may not start for Nigeria, he remains a valuable option for Peseiro.

Not enjoying his best season at Nantes—Simon has only registered one assist and has zero goals since mid-November.

Nonetheless, he should be in Peseiro’s squad.

Nigeria’s first-choice left-back, Sanusi should still see off competition from Jamilu Collins and Bruno Onyemeachi to keep his place in the starting XI for the Eagles.

The most high-profile player missing from the international break, injury kept Troost away, but he still remains favourite to start in the heart of the defence.

Chukwueze has enjoyed a purple patch of form for Villarreal recently, but flattered to deceive during the international break.

Injuries have affected his season with Leicester City, but Ndidi should still be Nigeria’s first-choice anchorman, even if he was massively off the pace against Guinea-Bissau .

The biggest positive of the recent international break for the Super Eagles, Osayi-Samuel looks to have made the right-back berth his own, with his attacking forays forward giving an extra dimension to Nigeria’s attack.

Bassey’s form at Ajax may be patchy, but he’s the future of the Nigeria defence, even if the Guinea-Bissau meeting wasn’t his finest hour.

A revelation at Everton this season, what can Iwobi achieve with the Eagles at the Afcon next year?

Utterly lethal at Napoli this season—and on track for the Scudetto—is Osimhen primed for a major transfer to the Premier League during the summer?

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