Super Eagles Suffer Double Injury Blow Ahead of Ghana, Mali Friendly Games

• Nigeria could be without two key players for their March friendlies
• The NFF has invited 26 players for the games versus Ghana and Mali
• Seven players from the 2023 AFCON were excluded from the latest list

Nigeria has suffered two injury blows ahead of the Super Eagles' upcoming international friendly games against Ghana and Mali, scheduled in March.

The Nigeria Football Federation has invited 26 players for the games against the Black Stars and Eagles, which includes two debutants, Gabriel Osho of Luton Town and Benjamin Tanimu from Tanzanian club, Ihefu SC.

According to the Daily Post, Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper at the 2023 AFCON, Stanley Nwabali, and Napoli superstar Victor Osimhen, lead the list of players invited by the NFF for the games to be played in Algeria.

Seven players who represented the Super Eagles at the AFCON, including captain Ahmed Musa and vice-captain William Troost-Ekong, who is currently out injured, were omitted from the list.

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Six players, including Umar Sadiq, Cyriel Dessers, Nathan Tella, Jamilu Collins, Wilfred Ndidi, Taiwo Awoniyi, Tyronne Ebuehi, and Fisayo Dele Bashiru, will be making a comeback to the national team.

Osho and Nwabali are doubtful

Meanwhile, Osho and Nwabali could miss Nigeria's games against Ghana and Mali owing to injuries sustained on Saturday while playing for their respective clubs in England and South Africa, Afrik-Foot NG reports.

Super Eagles goalkeeper, Nwabali, was substituted in the 73rd minute during Chippa United’s clash against DStv Premier League champions Mamelodi Sundowns after picking up a knock.

Osho, on the other hand, did not last the full 90 minutes during Luton Town’s exciting 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace after the newly invited Super Eagles defender was substituted in the 81st minute with an injury.

Amuneke backed for Nigeria job

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Nigeria legend Emmanuel Amuneke has been backed to replace Jose Peseiro as the next Super Eagles coach after the Portuguese manager left the post.

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Peseiro left the role earlier in February after his contract with the NFF expired at the end of the AFCON in Ivory Coast.

The next Super Eagles coach will be tasked with qualifying for the 2025 AFCON and 2026 World Cup in North America.