AFCON 2025
Only the best players should be invited to the national team as long as they get regular game time in their club sides and are in good form.
The above narrative is quite popular among Nigerian football enthusiasts whenever the squad list for a tournament or qualifiers is about to be released or afterward.
Ahead of the 2026 crucial FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe next month, new Super Eagles manager Eric Chelle has been meeting with members of the team in a bid to discuss his plans for the games and also familiarize himself with them before they meet in camp.
Eric Chelle met with Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, and Moses Simon in Europe last week in a two-day tour.
The French-Malian coach is expected to hand invitations to most of the regulars in the team.
However, it is important for the coach to also consider inviting players who have been in good form so far this season and can also help the Super Eagles with their skill sets.
This post takes a look at three defenders who could help the Super Eagles in defense ahead of the qualifiers next month.
1. Nduka Junior
The Remo Stars central defender and captain of the side is arguably the best defender in the Nigeria Premier Football League this season.
His leadership qualities have been instrumental for the Sky Blue Stars as they lead the charge to win the title this season.
Nduka Junior is a combination of grit and finesse. While he is strong and tough on strikers, he is also good on the ball.
He can progress the ball and find his forward men with long-range passes from deep.
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The 21-year-old defender is also quite tall which helps him win aerial duels and puts him in good stead to hit the target with a header from set-piece scenarios.
Nduka Junior led the CHAN Eagles to victory over Ghana as Nigeria qualified for the Championship of African Nations for the first time since 2018.
He scored in the 3-1 aggregate victory over the Black Satellites at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo in December.
2. Igoh Ogbu
The former Gombe United defender is the first-choice central defender at Slavia Prague – the reigning Czech Republic champions.
Ogbu fits the current Super Eagles system of three central defenders and has excelled in the position for Slavia Prague this season.
The 25-year-old is also good on the ball and has a commanding presence in the air which helped him retain a starting shirt at the club.
Ogbu played for the Flying Eagles at the 2019 African Under-2O Championship as well as the World Cup that year.
His experience in Europe’s second-tier competition would come in handy for the team if he gets an invitation.
3. Tosin Adarabioyo
He is one of the players who is very likely to switch his allegiance from the Three Lions to the Super Eagles.
Adarabioyo is a well-experienced defender and has played for Westbrom, Blackburn Rovers, and Fulham where he caught the attention of top clubs.
The former Manchester City academy graduate currently plays for Chelsea and has been very decent in recent weeks after an initial lack of game time.
Adarabioyo is a “ball-playing defender.” – he is very comfortable on the ball and can help retain and build up possession from the backline.
He is very fast, athletic, and has a towering presence in the air as he is 6 ft and 5 inches tall. He made the most clearances in the Premier League in the 2020/2021 season – his debut season in the league.
Tosin Adarabioyo’s solid positional awareness and aerial prowess will be instrumental as the Super Eagles look to get their World Cup qualification back on track.
Tosin Adarabioyo will compete with Semi Ayayi on the right side of the Super Eagles’ three-man defense and could offer more in defense and offense for the team.
The Super Eagles will take on Rwanda in Kigali on 21 March and Zimbabwe four days later in Uyo.
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