Why Napoli Striker Victor Osimhen Is Not in Super Eagles 30-Man Squad for Mexico, Ecuador Friendlies

• Victor Osimhen’s name was missing in the 30-man list of the Super Eagles that will prosecute friendlies against Mexico and Ecuador
• Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and the focus is now on qualifying for AFCON 2023
• Reports have it that Victor Osimhen called on the Super Eagles handlers to excuse him from the forthcoming friendlies

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are billed to take on Mexico and Ecuador in friendly matches and Super Eagles handlers failed to name Napoli striker Victor Osimhen among the invitees.

Nigerian Football Federation released the names of the 30 players picked for the friendlies as the first assistant coach of the Super Eagles Salisu Yusuf is expected to lead the team to the United States; the venue of the matches.

Captain Ahmed Musa was named in the squad; and on the list of the invited players for these two coming games are Akwa United goalkeeper Adewale Adeyinka and Enyimba stopper Ojo Olorunleke.

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However, Osimhen who has been in fine form for Napoli was not listed for the matches and Soccernet reports that the 23-year-old reached out to the handlers to exempt him from the list.

The youngster is arguably Nigeria’s best player at the moment, but he would not be part of the matches.

At the moment, the position of the technical adviser of the Super Eagles remains vacant, but the Chief Coach Salisu Yusuf and his assistants, Usman Abdallah, Finidi George and Ike Shorunmu drew up a list of players for the games.

Nine strikers were invited for the matches including Sadiq Umar, Cyriel Dessers, Emmanuel Dennis, Enyimba’s Victor Mbaoma and Rivers’ Ishaq Rafiu, Kelechi Iheanacho, Samuel Chukwueze, Ademola Lookman, Ahmed Musa and Moses Simon.

Aside Osimhen, Taiwo Awoniyi and Paul Onuachu were also conspicuously missing from the squad.

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Meanwhile, Sports Brief earlier reported that Tijani Babangida believes the Sierra Leonean national team could cause a massive upset against Nigeria when both teams meet in the first game of the 2023 African Cup of Nation qualifiers.

The Super Eagles who are still without a substantive coach will host Sierra Leone at the Mashood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja next month.

Babangida is of the opinion that the NFF’s reluctance to name a permanent coach for the Super Eagles might hinder their preparations for the crucial game.