Former Super Eagles player, Sam Sodje has given kudos to the Nigeria National Team Coach, Jose Peseiro for the calibre of players invited to prosecute the AFCON 2023 Qualifying match away to Sierra Leone.
Expressing obvious delight while going through the list released on Friday by the media department of the NFF, the one time no nonsense central defender punched the air and muttered to himself that the list is a very decent one.
“Oh yes I am satisfied with the list. It is a good one. The players that deserves a recall are back and those who underwhelmed last season have been dropped, the coach deserves commendation for being bold”, Sodje opened up to this reporter who sat beside him at the ongoing Nigeria Women Football League Super 6 champiosnhip in Asaba.
Emphasizing further, Sam Sodje, from a footballing family with the likes of Efe and Akpor who also had distinguished careers in the round leather game, further detailed his expectations going into the game.
“It’s a must win match. The players are well aware that only a win can take us to the Nations Cup. They took their feet off the gas the last time but they have learnt from him. I am expecting nothing but the 3 points from the game”, the defender who made a name in English football added.
The Sierra Leone versus Nigeria clash is billed for the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium in Monrovia on Sunday, 18 June, because Sierra Leone failed to get a CAF stadium approval to host the match in their country.
ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS:
Goalkeepers: Adebayo Adeleye (Hapoel Jerusalem, Israel); Victor Sochima (Rivers United); Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba FC)
Defenders: William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Calvin Bassey (Ajax FC, The Netherlands); Kevin Akpoguma (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany); Chidiebube Duru (Rivers United); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey)
Midfielders: Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Divine Nwachukwu (Bendel Insurance); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England)
Forwards: Moses Simon (Nantes FC, France); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Ahmed Musa (Sivasspor K, Turkey)
