Coach, Captain Ahmed Musa Missing As NFF Names 26 Players for Ghana, Mali Friendlies

• NFF has released a 26-man squad for the Super Eagles' upcoming friendly games
• Nigeria will face two other West African nations, Ghana and Mali, in Marrakech
• The team is still without a coach since the departure of Jose Peseiro after AFCON

The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has named a 26-man squad for the Super Eagles' upcoming friendly games against Ghana and Mali in Morocco.

The Super Eagles are still without a manager since the departure of Jose Peseiro, with the Nigerian football governing body declaring the post vacant.

Nigeria will also be without their two captains, Ahmed Musa and William Troost-Ekong, for the friendly games.

There is some good news: Wilfred Ndidi returned to the squad after missing AFCON 2023 due to injury, while his Leicester City teammate Kelechi Iheanacho was also included, according to Soccernet.

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Like Ndidi, Taiwo Awoniyi and Sadiq Umar are also back in the team after missing the African championship due to injuries.

Despite being born in England, Luton Town defender Gabriel Osho has gotten his first call-up in the Nigerian national team setup.

Tanzania-based Benjamin Tianimu also got his first call-up, and he is the third African-based player in the squad alongside Stanley Nwabili and Ojo Olorunleke.

Bayer Leverkusen forward, Nathan Tella, is also part of the squad alongside Rangers striker, Cyriel Dessers, but AC Milan winger, Samuel Chukwueze, failed to make the list.

Nigeria's squad for Ghana and Mali games

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabili (Chippa United), Francis Uzoho (Omonia), Ojo Olorunleke (Enyimba).

Defenders: Calvin Bassey (Fulham), Jamilu Collins (Cardiff City), Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista), Semi Ajayi (West Brom), Kenneth Omeruo (Kasımpasa), Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista), Gabriel Osho (Luton Town), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce), Tyronne Ebuehi (Empoli), Benjamin Tianimu (Ihefu SC).

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Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham), Frank Onyeka (Brentford), Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City), Alhassan Yusuf (Antwerp), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge).

Forwards: Moses Simon (Nantes), Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen), Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Hatayspor), Ademola Lookman (Atalanta), Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad), Victor Osimhen (Napoli), Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City), Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest), Cyriel Dessers (Rangers).

Odegbami advises NFF

Sports Brief earlier reported that former Super Eagles forward, Segun Odegbami, has advised the NFF on the criteria to consider in selecting a new coach for the Nigerian team.

The 77-year-old advocated for an indigenous coach amidst the clamour for a foreign manager.