7 Players Targeting Debut In CIV, Tunisia Friendlies

Complete Sports takes a look at Seven players that will be gunning for their Super Eagles debut when Nigeria take on Cote d’lvoire and Tunisia in the forthcoming international friendly games scheduled for next month.

Coach Gernot Rohr in a bid to further strengthen the Eagles squad named the seven new players in a 25-man-squad that also had some fringe and regular players.

Belgium-based striker, Cyril Dessers leads the pack with Russia based forward Chidera Ejuke; Slovakia-based goalkeeper Matthew Yakubu; Portugal-based defender Zaidu Sanusi, while midfield duo of Denmark-based Frank Onyeka and Austria-based Samson Tijani complete the list.

Fringe Eagles stars named in the squad include goalkeepers Dele Alampasu and Maduka Okoye both with one cap each and midfielder Mikel Agu who is returning to the squad having previously won seven caps.

The Super Eagles, now ranked 29th in the world and third in Africa, will take on the Elephants on 9th October and four days later, will engage the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia, who are second in Africa in the rankings.

Also Read – Rohr: How I Convinced Akpoguma To Choose Nigeria Over Germany

Both games have been arranged by the Nigeria Football Federation to prepare the Eagles for the next round of 2022 AFCON qualifiers home and away against Sierra Leone in November.

THE SEVEN UNCAPPED PLAYERS

Cyriel DESSERS (KRC Genk, Belgium)

Date of birth: Dec 8, 1994 (25)
Position: Centre-forward

Dessers will finally get the chance to make his Super Eagles debut which had previously been delayed by the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.

The striker who scored 15 goals in 26 games for Heracles Almelo last season is now with Genk and already has two goals to his credit in five appearances in the new season.

Chidera EJUKE (CSKA Moscow, Russia)

Date of birth: Jan 2, 1998 (22)
Position: Left Winger

The former junior international had a splendid season last term scoring nine goals in 25 appearances for Heerenveen in the Dutch League.

The forward adept at playing on the left or right-wing has now moved to CSKA Moscow in Russia where he already has one goal to his credit in three games in the new season.

Mathew YAKUBU (SKF Sered, Slovakia)

Date of birth: Mar 9,1999 (21)
Position: Goalkeeper

The search for a capable goalkeeper to man the posts for the Eagles unearthed relatively unknown Yakubu currently based in Slovakia.

The 21-year old keeper has made three clean sheets while conceding two goals in four appearances for Sered so far this season.

He made his professional Fortuna Liga debut for SKF Sered’ against FC ViOn Zlaté Moravce on 11 July 2020.

Also Read: Nigerian Winger Marvin Relishes ‘Unforgettable’ Debut For Real Madrid

Zaidu SANUSI ( FC Porto, Portugal)

Date of birth: Jun 13, 1997 (23)
Position: Left-Back

Portugal-based left-back, Sanusi is another unknown quality being unearthed as coach Rohr looks to beef up the Eagles defence line.

Sanusi starred for Santa Clara last season making 24 appearances and scoring one goal. His impressive display has seen him move to FC Porto where he has played one game in the new season.

He joined the Portuguese champions in August this year.

Frank ONYEKA (Club: FC Midtiylland, Denmark)

Date of birth: Jan 1, 1998 (22)
Position: Defensive Midfield

22-year old Onyeka is relatively unknown back home but is one of the rising youngsters in Denmark where he has played through the ranks and now stars for Midtjylland’s first team.

The former FC Ebedei star has started the new season on a bright note bagging an assist in his first two games of the season.

Samson TIJANI (TSV Hartberg, Austria)

Date of birth: May 17, 2002 (18)
Position: Defensive Midfield

The former Golden Eaglets captain was snapped up by Austria top side, Red Bull Salzburg following his promising display at the last FIFA U-17 World Cup held in Brazil last year.

The 18-year old midfielder is currently on loan at Hartberg where he has featured in two games in the new season.

Dele ALAMPASU (FK Ventspils, Latvia)

Date of birth: Dec 24, 1996 (23)
Position: Goalkeeper

Former junior international, Alampasu is yet to make an official debut for the Super Eagles despite getting dressed on seven occasions for the national team.

What would have been his debut was the international friendly game between Nigeria and Togo ON june 1,2017 at the Stade Municipal in France.Nigeria won the match 3-0 courtesy or goals from Kelechi Iheanacho (2) and Ahmed Musa, but the game was not sanctioned by FIFA.

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