With the attention turning to this weekend’s ‘dead rubber’ clash between the Super Eagles and Sao Tome, JOHNNY EDWARD takes a look at how Jose Peseiro’s squad have performed before the game
GOALKEEPERS
Adebayo Adeleye (Hapoel Jerusalem)
Adeleye, who got his first competitive start for Nigeria against Sierra Leone in June has been a regular for his club in Israel. So far, this season, he has conceded three goals in two appearances. He kept eight clean sheets and conceded 20 goals in 20 appearances last season.
Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba)
The new Enyimba captain is returning to the Super Eagles for the second consecutive time. Since winning the league in June, his recent action was in goal for Enyimba during their ill-fated CAF Champions League preliminary game against Al-Ahly Benghazi, shipping four goals in their first leg.
Francis Uzoho (Omonia Nicosia)
Back in the Super Eagles after a suspension forced him out of the last game, Uzoho returns on the back of no appearance for his club in Cyprus this season. This year, he has only been in goal in five games at Omonia. Last season, he featured in 16 games, conceded 12 goals and kept eight clean sheets.
DEFENDERS
Jordan Torunarigha (Gent)
The Gent defender received his maiden Super Eagles call-up after rejecting previous overtures in favour of an international future with Germany. The 26-year-old has so far chalked up five appearances scoring a goals with an assist.
Semi Ajayi (West Brom)
The 29-year-old has started the season brightly in the English Championship with the Baggies featuring in every minutes of the four games he played in. The former Cardiff defender has helped his team to two wins, a draw and a defeat so far this season. Aside from his defensive duties, he has also nothced in a goal and an assist.
William Troost-Ekong (PAOK)
After departing Watford for PAOK for an undisclosed fee in the summer, Troost-Ekong is enjoying a new lease of life on the pitch in the Greek top-flight, helping the club qualify for the Europa Conference League group stage with an unbeaten streak of four wins and two draws. The 30-year-old has played eight times since his arrival at the club.
Calvin Bassey (Fulham)
Bassey has been a decent signing for Fulham this season although he was sent off in his second appearance for the Cottagers against Arsenal.
Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista)
Bruno’s bright start to the season has been the major reason Zaidu Sanusi has been left out of the squad. In four games, the defender has made an assist and helped his side to two wins.
Jamilu Collins (Cardiff)
After a career threatening injury, Collins makes a return to the Eagles squad for the first time in over a year following his decent start with Cardiff City. He has made five appearances so far this season.
Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest)
The versatile defender has been a key player for Nottingham Forest this season since he joined from Torino, making three league starts for the club.
Tyronne Ebuehi (Empoli)
Ebuehi has made three starts this season for Empoli in all competitions and he looks certain to add to his 11 appearances for the Super Eagles when they take on Sao Tome on Sunday.
MidfieldERS:
Frank Onyeka (Brentford)
Onyeka has made a slow start to the Premier League this season. He has made only two substitute appearances this season for Brentford.
Joe Aribo (Southampton)
Considering form and game time, Aribo doesn’t deserve a place in the team as he has only seen 78 minutes of action in five games for his English Championship side, Southampton.
Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge)
Onyedika is the most active midfielder listed for the Sao Tome clash in Uyo. The 21-year-old has made 11 appearances providing one assist so far this term for Club Brugge.
Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester)
Ndidi is adapting to his new No.8 role under Enzo Maresca at Leicester City. The 26-year-old has scored twice and made one assist in seven games for the Foxes.
Forwards
Victor Osimhen (Napoli)
Osimhen is regarded as Nigeria’s undisputed top striker, and despite the invitation of five centre-forwards, there is no doubt that the Napoli man retains his spot.
Last season’s Serie A top scorer with 26 goals, the striker has continued in fine form this season with three goals in three games for the Scudetto winners. Last time away against Sao Tome, he scored four and he will be keen to match those stats at home.
Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest)
Awoniyi has been a revelation at Nottingham Forest in the English top-flight, consistently finding the back of the net and showing up when the team needs him most. He became the first Nigerian to score in six consecutive EPL games when he scored in the 2-1 win against Sheffield United.
Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkeusen)
Boniface has taken the Bundesliga by storm and there is still time for him to achieve more. The Nigerian has scored four goals and added two assists in only four games since he joined Bayer Leverkusen.
Gift Orban (Gent)
Orban has picked up where from where he left off scoring six times in eight games so far this term. In terms of goals and assists, Orban is the most prolific player in the squad for Sao Tome.
Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester)
Iheanacho’s performances for Leicester City in the English second division this season has been nothing short of outstanding. The 26-year-old has scored one goal and made two assists in five games for the Foxes as they aim to make a quick return to the Premier League.
Moses Simon (Nantes)
Simon’s only eye catching performance this season for Nantes came against Olympic Marseille where he provided an assist for Mostafa Mohamed whose strike earned a share of the spoil his side.
Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan)
Still waiting to make his first start for Italian giants, AC Milan, Chukwueze has shown flashes of his brilliance in the three substitute appearances he has made for the Rossoneri though he is yet to score or make an assist.
Ademola Lookman (Atalanta)
Lookman is yet to hit the same highs as he did last season with Atalanta when he started the campaign in remarkable goalscoring form, but the forward has been above average for the La Dea this term.
